Mini-grant funding needs to be a priority

This week, the Conference Committee will come together to reconcile funding levels in the proposed Senate and House budgets. The Conference Committee will consider funding for education and enrollment assistance for MassHealth, Commonwealth Care and Commonwealth Choice, line item 4000-0352. The Senate fully funded the "mini-grant" program at $3.5 million, while the House only allotted $550,000.

For community activities that promote health care reform to continue, the Conference Committee should accept the Senate funding levels for education and enrollment assistance. The committee consists of three Senators and three Representatives. Communicating directly with members of the Committee, and asking your local legislators to communicate with them as well, is the most effective way to have this priority recognized.

Click here to see a graph of Commonwealth Care enrollment as of April 1, 2007 - why more outreach is needed.

Conference Committee contact information:

Local legislator contacts:
Click here to find your local elected officials' contact information. Please ask them to convey this priority to the conference committee.

You can also contact the legislative leadership who are overseeing the process.

Speaker DiMasi
• Email: Rep.SalvatoreDiMasi@hou.state.ma.us
• Phone: (617) 722-2500
• Website: http://www.mass.gov/legis/member/sfd1.htm

Senate President Murray
• Email: Therese.Murray@state.ma.us
• Phone: (617) 722-1500
• Website: http://www.mass.gov/legis/member/t_m0.htm