On July 23rd, Children’s HealthWatch submitted written testimony before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion of recommendations that the Committee supports a number of bills that will advance equity for children in Massachusetts across the following areas:

• Promote racial health equity by closing income and wealth gaps
• Improve the health and well-being of families by removing barriers to assistance
• Increase equitable health care coverage and access to care
• Increase access to and supply of affordable, high quality early education & care
• Prevent evictions and homelessness
• Promote housing stability through rental assistance, production of affordable housing, and fair housing practices
• Improve the Emergency Assistance (EA) shelter system

In addition to the policies above, they recommend aligning the priorities of the Committee with those outlined in the legislature’s Health Equity Task Force’s final report, “A Blueprint for Health Equity.” Finally, they recommend the Committee to support and prioritize the investment in new and bold policies through an equitable lens by placing the needs and leadership of people of color at the center.