Children’s Healthwatch’s Testimony in Support of Several Bills in Massachusetts Related to the DTA, Children and Families, Homelessness, Two Generational Approaches and the Cliff Effect
On July 16th, Children’s HealthWatch submitted a testimony to Chairwoman Chang-Diaz, Chairwoman Khan, and members of the Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. Currently, the state has opportunities to improve the health of young children and reduce economic hardship by enacting legislation that responds to the realities of families with young children. We support the following bills:
- H.102/S.36 – An Act to reduce deep poverty among kids/An Act to lift kids out of deep poverty
- H174/S.56 – An Act concerning public assistance for working families and the creation of a pilot program to address the impacts of the cliff effect
- H.103/S.67 – An Act providing immediate childcare assistance to homeless families
- S.31 – An Act providing for coordinated data and assistance to address family homelessness
Supporting the health and development of children and families across our Commonwealth is necessary for our state’s current and future prosperity and well-being. Decades of research show comprehensive, multi-sector strategies that reduce poverty and hardships are necessary to achieve optimal health outcomes. For these reasons, we strongly urge to swiftly and favorably report these important pieces of legislation out of committee.
