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What is the Rosie D. case and why is it important? Rosie D. v, Patrick is a class action lawsuit brought on behalf of over fifteen thousand Medicaid-eligible children and adolescents under the age of 21 who need, but are not receiving, the home-based mental health services necessary for them to remain with their families and in their home communities. Without appropriate home-based services, these children can be at risk for prolonged or unnecessary hospitalization, or other out-of-home placement, as well as removal from their local schools and communities. The lawsuit was based on the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) provisions of the federal Medicaid Act, which require the Commonwealth to provide Medicaid-eligible children with access to preventative screening, diagnostic evaluations, and medically necessary behavioral health services. In January 2006, the federal court found the Commonwealth in violation of EPSDT requirements, and in July 2007, it entered a final judgment that included a detailed remedial plan. This plan will dramatically alter the landscape for Medicaid-funded mental health care in Massachusetts, creating a new service delivery system designed to empower and support children and families, and successfully maintain their connections to home, community and school settings. What specific reforms did the Court order and when will they be available? The Commonwealth is undertaking an ambitious system reform effort in coordination with the plaintiffs and under the supervision of the Court and Court Monitor. The remedial plan describes the redesign of the children’s mental health system in Massachusetts and the pathway to obtaining home-based services. It also establishes deadlines for critical steps in the implementation process. These include: • Notice and information to families, providers and the public about Medicaid members’ rights to medically necessary services and Rosie D. reforms (Ongoing since Fall 2007) • Improved mental health screening procedures with primary care providers (In place as of January 1, 2008) • More standardized mental health assessments with specialized training (Operational November 2008) • Provision of medically necessary, intensive home-based behavioral health services (Service system design and implementation in 2008; services available June 2009) What are intensive home-based services and how will children and families access these services? The Commonwealth’s new mental health service system will be based upon an integrated and coordinated approach to treatment planning and service delivery, often called “wraparound treatment.” Home-based services will be highly individualized, child and family centered and strength based. These services can be provided in any appropriate setting where the child is located, including natural or foster homes, community spaces and activities, schools or after-school programs. Families and teams will set goals for each identified service and consider appropriate locations and strategies for their implementation. A single case manager will work closely with the family, conducting a comprehensive home-based assessment. The case manager will, in partnership with the family, identify and coordinate a single treatment team who together develop a single treatment plan guiding the child’s care in the community. This team can include educational service providers, a collaboration which provides opportunities to coordinate Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals with community treatment planning efforts. In addition to this treatment planning process, called intensive care coordination, several new home-based services will be available:
2) in-home behavioral therapy and behavior management supports; 3) in-home therapy services; 4) mentoring; and 5) parent/caregiver supports. Which students will be eligible to receive remedial services under the Court’s order? Currently, any Medicaid-eligible child under 21 years of age with a serious emotional disturbance (SED), as described under federal law (either IDEA regulations or the SAMHSA Public Health Act) is eligible for home-based services. SED can include a range of serious emotional, behavioral, or mental health disorders. The definitions above consider a number of factors, including the nature and duration of a child’s condition and the extent to which it substantially interferes with his or her functioning in a variety of contexts, including home, school and community. Children and adolescents with developmental disabilities, autism spectrum or substance abuse disorders are also eligible for home-based services, provided they have a co-occurring serious emotional disturbance. How can schools assist parents in accessing home-based services? Children and families may be referred for home-based services in a number of ways, depending on how much is already known about the child’s condition. Medicaid-eligible children can receive preventative behavioral health screening from their primary care clinician during routine well-child visits, or at other times by parent request. When a positive screen occurs, parents and providers can decide whether to manage symptoms within the practice or to seek further outside assessment. If a child is identified as having a behavioral health condition, she or he should be referred to a mental health professional for a full assessment. Schools and school health care professionals, state and local agencies, child care providers, and other professionals who serve children may refer a child for behavioral health screening or evaluation by a mental health specialist. Children who have already been diagnosed with a form of SED can be referred directly to a network of regional Community Service Agencies (CSAs), to be developed by the Commonwealth. The local CSA will offer intensive care coordination and a comprehensive home-based assessment, based on the child’s medical need. CSA referrals might come from hospitals, clinicians, crisis teams, parents, or school personnel. How can schools collaborate successfully with families who receive home-based services? At the request of a parent or guardian, school districts may be invited to participate in the treatment planning process. This participation may include helping to inform the goals and objectives of the single treatment plan, and working together to integrate those goals into the school environment, and individual education plan, as appropriate. The highly coordinated treatment planning process can provide schools with a single source for ongoing and updated treatment information, while the intensive care manager offers a single point of contact for conveying concerns directly to the treatment team. Conversely, the child’s care manager, who is responsible for coordinating all behavioral health services, can participate in the development of the IEP or other school-based educational plan, in order to ensure that educational goals are carried over and consistently implemented in all environments. How can these new services complement and support the work done by schools? Common goals and a shared mission make schools and home-based service providers natural allies. Both seek to serve children in the least restrictive environment. Both hope to cultivate a child’s ability to succeed and function independently in all aspects of life. Once available, home-based services are expected to treat and support children in the settings where they live and socialize and learn. In making specific service recommendations, treatment teams can and should consider children’s needs before, during, and after the school day, in order to maximize his or her overall functioning and availability for learning. Home-based services can be provided in school settings, in addition to after school or other community settings, to promote generalization of important social, emotional and independent living skills. Home-based behavioral health therapists and other professionals can consult with teachers and classroom aides to identify and reinforce strategies for supporting students in school, and responding to challenging situations. This partnership can also promote consistency in addressing the child’s behavioral health needs across a variety of educational, social and community settings. For example, mobile crisis teams will be available to respond to school settings. When a child is participating in intensive care coordination, this crisis response could be a pre-determined strategy for effective intervention and stabilization, minimizing the use of suspensions or other punitive actions that might impede, rather than enhance, the child’s success in school. The goal of these teams, and the longer term crisis stabilization service, is to help children and families manage, diffuse and reduce crises in the community, avoiding potentially traumatic and unnecessary emergency room or in patient stays, and resulting interruptions in a child’s education. How can schools and families stay informed about this new mental health service system? Information on the Rosie D. remedy and its implementation is available from a number of sources. MassHealth customer service representatives will be receiving training on the system improvements above, including methods for accessing home-based behavioral health services. Updated information regarding the availability of screening, assessments, and intensive home-based services will be circulated by MassHealth through relevant member notices, handbooks, provider bulletins, contracts and government websites. Special trainings and referral information is being developed by the Commonwealth for use by schools and child care agencies. The Center for Public Representation’s education and outreach campaign is partnering with stakeholder groups and organizations across the Commonwealth to disseminate relevant training materials and to discuss these system changes as they unfold. Information regarding the Court’s decisions can be found at: www.centerforpublicrep.org . Additional information that focuses on this initiative and its ongoing implementation will soon be available at the Center’s new website: www.RosieD.org. |
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SB 2455, “An Act Relative to Providing Equitable Benefits for Members of the Teacher’s Retirement System” remains in
review by the Senate Ways and Means committee for fiscal analysis and serious consideration. Governor Patrick’s Readiness Project The Governor is moving forward to implement recommendations from his Readiness Project Report and has established a financial taskforce to review all chapter 70 foundation budget matters. Officials plan to start to draft legislation, tackling funding equity, within the next month. Since impacting the "Readiness Project" is of interest to many, it is important that MSNO be part of discussions with other stakeholders, strategize about meeting with and potentially joining them too, to advocate that Municipalities must be provided an incentive to meet the health care needs of students. Newly Passed Children’s Mental Health Law- 2008. Chapter 321 of the Acts of 2008: An Act Relative to Children’s Mental HealthSponsored by Rep. Balser and Sen. Tolman Ensures the early identification of children with mental health needs by reaching them in familiar and easily accessible settings -- pediatricians’ offices, early education programs and schools For further information refer to following attachments: |
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Advocacy associated with school nursing has become an important aspect of what we do every day. We have learned to be aware of what is happening in the legislature and also that our voices are heard. We are very fortunate in Massachusetts since we have established our credibility and commanded respect as a profession. When we think of advocacy, legislation and school nursing, several names come to the forefront; one being Representative Jennifer Flanagan, (D, Leominster).
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Senator Panagiotakos, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, and staff, are reviewing S. 2455 and making a decision in the next two weeks about the bill's movement. It is time for grass roots action by MSNO members now. Please copy, personalize, and send the following sample letter to Chairman Panagiotakos to urge a favorable release of S. 2455, “Relative to providing equitable benefits for members of the teachers' retirement system”. SAMPLE LETTER (Please personalize yourself, print and mail.) August, 2008 The Honorable Steven C. Panagiotakos Chair, Senate Committee on Ways & Means State House, Room 212 Boston , Massachusetts 02133 Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to urge a favorable release of S. 2455, “Relative to providing equitable benefits for members of the teachers' retirement system”. School nurses became eligible members of the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System (MTRS) after education reform in 1993. As a result, a handful of school nurses who have served our children for many years and are close to retirement have been unable to include their years of employment prior to 1993, for purposes of eligibility in Retirement Plus. As a member of the Massachusetts School Nurse Organization, I am respectfully requesting your support of this bill because it would eliminate this harmful and unintended outcome of education reform for some of our members. Sincerely, NAME & CREDENTIALS ADDRESS PHONE |
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Please call your respective State Representative and State Senator today May 30th thru Friday June 6th, with the following message:
Update: MSNO will be directly contacting members of the Conference Committee, and advocating for funding for school nursing and school based health centers at the school health services line item 4590-0250, as recommended by the House FY 09 budget. Letters generated by the Mass. School Health Collaborative will be distributed to all members of the House and Senate. The Conference Committee members are:
1. Chairman DeLeo 2. Representative St. Fleur 3. Representative deMacedo Senate 1. Chairman Panagiotakos 2. Senator Brewer 3. Senator Knapik Please contact me with any questions or comments. Thank you for your continued outpouring of calls and advocacy! |
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The School Health Amendment #787 was successfully retrieved from the "no" pile, in the early phases of yesterday's Senate Debate. The advocacy of many was clearly recognized by many Senators and gave us a reprieve for reconsideration of the amendment. By the end of the evening however, it was clear that the Senate was holding the line on any new spending and the amendment was then withdrawn by Sen. Moore with anticipation of inevitable disapproval of increased funding. The Conference Committee will now move to recognize level funding for school health services: $15,000,000. Sentor Moore and others noted that they will also work to retain the additional + $484,0000 (currently unearmarked) in the House version of the line item. A strategy for continued advocacy with House and Senate Legislators who will be appointed to the Conference Committee will be initiated next week. The calls of school nurses and supporters did create a buzz... thank you for your efforts....and more to come. |
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The 2nd annual School Nurse Legislator Visit Days are planned for January 2008. The 2007 Legislator visits brought enlightening and positive feedback from both the legislators and school nurses of the thirty districts who participated in the event. The goal in 2008 is to invite your Legislator to school in January BEFORE they are asked to bring their legislative funding priorities to the Senate President. A “tool kit” for preparing your legislators is available including an invitation for a school visit to a selected and targeted legislator; a notice/letter to be used with school superintendent, principal or school committee as needed; MSNO School Nurse Data and use of business cards; fact sheet on the MSNO legislative priorities; media alert; press release; recommendations for pictures; and a template for follow up thank you notes to lawmakers and school personnel. Further information is available below or please contact Mimi Stamer at stamer@msno.org if you are interested in participating in the Legislator Visit Day 2008. Support and guidance will be available to you from MSNO, our lobbyists Gloria Craven and Stacey Ober, and your school nurse colleagues.  MSNO Legislative Tool KitInvite your legislators to your health office and educate them about the true nature of school nursing that is transforming communities. Show them what school nurses do and why our roles are vital for the health and safety of the school community
Ask your legislators to make school health services a top funding priority! |
 Re: Action Alert H 2647- MSNO's Retirement BillFrom: Mimi Stamer, President-Elect, MSNO Re: With great appreciation for the advocacy by MSNO's lobbyists' Gloria Craven and Stacey Ober, I am pleased to inform you that the MSNO Retirement bill, formerly HB 2647, has advanced out of committee and become: SB 2455, An Relative to Providing Equitable Benefits for Members of the Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System - Sponsored by Joint Public Service Chairmen, Senator Brian Joyce & Representative Jay Kaufman, and Representative Elizabeth A. Malia. ISSUE: School nurses became eligible members of the Massachusetts Teachers Retirement System (MTRS) after Education Reform in 1993 required Department of Education (DOE) certification. Subsequent legal cases have concurred with this legal analysis. As a consequence of this change, a relatively small percentage of school nurses (less than 300 as estimated by MTRS) who have served our children for many years and are close to retirement have been unable to include their years of employment prior to 1993, for purposes of eligibility in Retirement Plus upon their retirement. SOLUTION: This bill seeks to remedy this unintended consequence of Education Reform and gross inequity for nurses and certain other school professionals. It allows school nurses, school social workers, early childhood teachers, speech, occupational or physical therapists or school business administrators, who are members of the teachers' retirement system or the State-Boston retirement system to appropriately apply all their years employed in a like position, before Ed Reform, towards the membership requirements of RetirementPlus. Upon their request, the Board may allow the member to elect into the RetirementPlus program. Any active member electing into the RetirementPlus program must make contributions to the retirement system as if they had elected into the program as of July 1, 2001. In addition, the bill requires the member to pay interest on the amounts owed the system from the date of their subsequent election back to July 1, 2001. The interest rate paid by the member will be one half of the actuarially assumed investment rate of return for the applicable retirement system. For more information contact: Gloria Craven or Stacey Ober at Craven & Ober Policy Strategists, LLC, (617) 523-6501. |
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School Health Line Item (4590-0250) for FY ’09 (see attached ESHS fact sheet to be included with tool kit documents on website: Click here) Advocacy for Essential School Health Services and support for $3.3 million to the School Health Line Item (4590-0250) in FY’ 09 and increase the bottom line appropriation from $16.7 million to $20 million.
• Increase the earmark for “mental health and substance abuse services in school based health centers” from $300,000 to $600,000. This increase would allow nearly twice as many students to access mental health and substance abuse services in school-based health centers. Massachusetts School Nurse Recognition Week January 28- February 1 Legislator Visit Days
• Request that school health services be a top legislative priority! • Tool Kit is available by Clicking here (add attached ESHS fact sheet to tool kit documents.) - Note map of State with/without current ESHS in tool kit and target legislators to support line item funding for Essential School Health Infrastructure (ESHS) Grant fy ‘09 - Email Mimi at stamer@msno.org with names of nurses and legislators participating in Visit Day, and with any questions or needs for assistance Ensuring Access to School Nursing Services for Massachusetts Children and Youth Join us at the State House for the public release of the MSNO policy paper at a Press Event co-sponsored by Rep. Jen Flanagan in Recently Advanced Bills Related to School Nurse Retirement and Credible Service: Frequently Asked Questions:
• Please note that the bills have not passed into laws yet, and that the legislative process offers no guarantees. If the bills result in laws, then school nurses should consult with the Massachusetts Teachers Retirement Board (MTRB) regarding their individual employment history and their most cost effective retirement options. Updates and Text of the Bills: MSNO’s Retirement bill HB 2647 was released by the public service committee unamended to the House Ways & Means Committee. The Senate version of 2455 is the bill that we all negotiated. H. 2647 will just die a natural death and we'll lobby for the Senate version S. 2455 instead which has been sent to the Senate Ways and Means committee for a fiscal analysis. SB 2455, “An Act Relative to Providing Equitable Benefits for Members of the Teacher’s Retirement System” Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows: SECTION 1. Paragraph (i) of subdivision (4) of section 5 of chapter 32 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2004 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the sixth sentence and inserting the following sentence: A member of a contributory retirement system other than the teachers’ retirement system or a teacher in the State-Boston retirement system, who transfers into the teachers’ retirement system or transfers into the State-Boston retirement system as a teacher may elect to participate in the alternative superannuation retirement benefit program but that election shall occur within 180 days after establishing membership in the teachers’ retirement system or the State-Boston retirement system. SECTION 2. Paragraph (ii) of said subdivision (4) of said section 5 of said chapter 32, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the second sentence and inserting in place thereof the following sentence:- Such member shall have served for not less than 20 years as a teacher in order to be eligible to receive the benefit provided under this subdivision but years of membership service in a contributory retirement system while employed in a public day school in the commonwealth or an education collaborative under section 4E of chapter 40, as a school nurse, school social worker, early childhood teacher, speech, occupational or physical therapist or school business administrator, as determined by the board, shall be considered years as a teacher for the purposes of this section. SECTION 3. A school nurse, school social worker, early childhood teacher, speech, occupational or physical therapist, or school business administrator, who is a member in service and who on or before July 1, 2001 was eligible to elect to participate in the alternative superannuation retirement benefit program or who transferred from a contributory retirement system to the teachers’ retirement system or the State-Boston retirement system as a teacher under paragraph (i) of subdivision (4) of section 5 of chapter 32 of the General Laws, and who elected not to participate or made no election, may elect to do so within 180 days of the effective date of this act on such form as the state teachers’ retirement board or the State-Boston retirement board shall prescribe; provided that said member shall make retirement contributions to the system, prior to retirement, as if said member had elected into said program on or before July 1, 2001, plus interest. The interest shall be calculated by using one half of the actuarially assumed investment rate of return of the teachers' retirement system or the State-Boston retirement system. The election to participate in the alternative superannuation retirement benefit program shall be irrevocable and shall be subject to said subdivision (4) of section 5 of said chapter 32. The election provided in this section shall also apply to any retired or other inactive member of the teachers' retirement system or of the State-Boston retirement system who (a) was a member in service on or before July 1, 2001 or transferred from a contributory retirement system to the teachers' retirement system or the State-Boston retirement system after that date, (b) was eligible to elect to participate in the alternative superannuation retirement benefit program, and (c) notified, in writing, the school district payroll, business, or other administrative officer of an intention to elect to participate in the alternative superannuation retirement benefit program established pursuant to paragraph (i) of subdivision (4) of section 5 of chapter 32. The new benefit provided through such election shall be actuarially reduced, if necessary, to meet the plan qualification requirements of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), as provided in paragraph (i) of subdivision (4) of section 5 of Chapter 32. HB 2614, “An Act Relative to Creditable Service for School Nurses” is in review by House Ways and Means Committee HB 2614, SECTION 1. Subdivision (1) of section 4 of chapter 32 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2004 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after paragraph (h) the following paragraph:– (h½) Any school nurse who is a member in service of the teacher’s retirement system or a municipal or city of Boston or state retirement system who is employed in a school approved by the department of education may receive creditable service for any period or periods of work experience in the nursing field. No credit shall be allowed until such member has paid into the annuity savings fund of the system before any retirement allowance becomes effective for such member, in one sum, or in installments, upon such terms and conditions as the board may prescribe, makeup payments of an amount equal to 10 percent of the regular annual compensation of the member when said member entered the retirement system for each year of service so purchased, plus buy back interest. No credit shall be allowed and no payment shall be accepted under this paragraph until the member shall have completed ten or more years of membership service. The maximum creditable service allowable under this paragraph for any member shall not exceed three years. Members in service of a retirement system eligible for said creditable service under this act shall make application for said creditable service within ninety days of being notified by the retirement board of their eligibility after becoming vested in the retirement system or for currently eligible members, within ninety days of the effective date of this act. Management of Students with Diabetes HB 1139, “An Act Authorizing Self Monitoring and Self Treatment for Students with Diabetes” MSNO is meeting with legislators and representatives from MDPH, MNA, the medical community, and ADA regarding HB 1139 to address the two controversial issues within bill:
2. authorization of the administration of Glucagon by injection by non-medically licensed school staff, in absence of school nurse |
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On October 3, 2007, President Bush vetoed the bi-partisan legislation to extend and improve the Children's Health Insurance Program. Speaker Pelosi has asked all the groups and/or associations that have been part of the Campaign for Children's Health to work towards assuring a veto override on October 18th. Your assistance is needed to convince certain House Members to change their minds and vote for the veto override. Please spread the word to these Members' constituents. The message is simple: BY VOTING FOR SCHIP, THEY ARE VOTING FOR KIDS! Access the Veto Document at: www.nasn.org/Portals/0/legislation/2007_10_02_schip_veto.pdf. Access Helpful Information from Speaker Pelosiâ's office for responding to the arguments in support of the veto; and a List of House Members that are being targeted to change their vote at: www.nasn.org/Portals/0/legislation/2007_10_05_schip_veto_override.pdf, If you need help in finding out how to reach a Member of Congress, please use the THOMAS Web site at: thomas.loc.gov. |
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On Thursday, October 18, the House of Representatives will vote to override the President's veto of SCHIP. In order to overturn a Presidential veto, two-thirds of Congress must vote with us. Although 45 House Republicans voted for the bill, we are still short of the votes in the House required to defeat the President . A victory for SCHIP is a victory for the health of school children. Please join the efforts of NASN and other children's health advocates for national call-in days to Congress and send the message that children's health is a priority. Please join us today and tomorrow and let your voice be heard. Call 1-800-828-0498 and ask to speak to your Representative and share the following message: I strongly urge you to vote to override President Bush's veto of SCHIP. As a voter, I believe that every child in America needs and deserves health care. To see how Members of Congress voted, visit: clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll938.xml. |
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Retirement Bills for School Nurses:
Buy-Back Bills for School Nurses
Healthy School Nutrition
Health Management of Children with Diabetes in School
Collaborate to Support the Legislative Priorities and Advocacy of the National Association of School Nurses (NASN):
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House Bill 2614, An Act Relative to Creditable Service for School Nurses sponsored by Representative Thomas Kennedy on
behalf of Fran Johnson.
Read full text of the bill at www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/185/ht02pdf/ht02614.pdf.
Senate Bill 1508, An Act Relative to a Retirement Buyback for School Nurses sponsored by Senator Robert Hedlund by request and petition of Joyce A. Toland. Read full text of the bill at: www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/185/st01/st01508.htm . Act and Advocate before/after September 27th on behalf of your nursing experience and creditable service
Members of the Joint Committee of Public Service: Senator Downing - Berkshire - 617- 722-1625 - Chairman Benjamin.Downing@state.ma.us Senator Augustas - Worcester - 617-722-1485 ( Fax 617-722-1066) Vice Chairman Edward.Augustus@state.ma.us Senator Hart - First Suffolk - 617-722-1150 John.Hart@state.ma.us Senator Joyce - Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth - 617-722-1643 Brian.A.Joyce@state.ma.us Senator Candaras - First Hampden and Hampshire - 617-722-1291 (Fax 617-722-1014) Gale.Candaras@State.MA.US Senator Knapik - Hampden and Hampshire - 617-722-1415 Michael.Knapik@state.ma.us Representative Kaufman - Lexington - 617-722-2240 – Chairman Rep.JayKaufman@hou.state.ma.us Representative Forry - Boston - 617-722-2430 - Vice Chairman Rep.LindaDorcenaForry@Hou.State.MA.US Representative Kafka - Stoughton - 617-722-2305 (Fax - 617 722 2598) Rep.LouisKafka@hou.state.ma.us Representative Greene - Billerica - 617-722-2210 (Fax - 617-722-2215) Rep.WilliamGreene@hou.state.ma.us Representative Fresolo - Worcester - 617-722-2240 (Fax - 617-722-2774) Rep.JohnFresolo@hou.state.ma.us Representative Donelan - Orange - 617-722-2230 Rep.ChristopherDonelan@hou.state.ma.us Representative Pignatelli - Lenox - 617-722-2582 (Fax- 617-722-2879) Rep.Smitty@Hou.State.MA.US Representative Conroy - Wayland - 617-722-2240 (Fax- 617-722-2353) Rep.ThomasConroy@hou.state.ma.us Representative McCarthy - E. Bridgewater – 617-722-2130 Rep.AllenMcCarthy@Hou.State.MA.US Representative Smola - Palmer - 617-722-2240 Rep.ToddSmola@Hou.State.MA.US Representative Lepper - Attleboro - 617-722-2100 (Fax-617-722-2390) Rep.JohnLepper@hou.state.ma.us |
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On July 31, the Public Health Committee approved the School Nutrition Bill. The bill has been simplified but ensures
that only healthy snacks and drinks are sold in schools. Some of the bill’s very specific standards have been replaced
with a requirement that the Department of Public Health issue regulations that reflect new standards recommended by the
Institute of Medicine in April 2007. The bill now heads to the Health Care Financing Committee with a new number – House Bill 4199.
• Ask your school board members, PTA, church, or hospital to endorse this bill. • Write a letter to your local newspaper in support of this bill. The Problem: Soda and junk food are feeding an epidemic of obesity and diabetes among our children. Rates of obesity among children have more than doubled in the past two decades. Children are over-eating food and drinks high in fat and sugar. One source of this problem is the sale of junk food in schools. The easy availability of candy bars, chips, and soda in school vending machines encourage unhealthy eating habits. (Massachusetts Public Health Association) A Solution: Healthy food choices for children in school. House Bill 4199, An Act to Promote Proper School Nutrition, sponsored by State Representative Peter Koutoujian, is an important part of the solution. Schools should provide only nutritious food options to help children learn good eating habits and reduce the risk of health problems In Massachusetts public schools, it proposes to:
• Set healthy standards for fat and sugar in snacks • Make fresh fruits and vegetables available in cafeterias ______________________________________________________________________
August 14, 2007 |
Besides heavy backpacks, children carry on their young shoulders, the weight of all
the issues impacting their families during these difficult socioeconomic times. School health care responds to their
ongoing needs for preventative health care, and management of complex, life threatening medical issues or chronic
health conditions. School nurses help keep children healthy, safe, fed, clothed, and sheltered...our "bandaids"
extend far, but their effects are often invisible to others.
in Massachusetts politics and public policy. Here you'll find summaries, background information, recent developments and additional learning resources about each issue. There is a special category devoted to Health/Public Health. Please visit:
HOW TO WRITE A SAMPLE LETTER
