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Boston Childrenʼs Hospital is committed to promoting and advancing the health and well-being of all children and families through advocacy and action. Through surveys, direct engagement, and listening sessions with more than 700 people, our providers, community partners, and patients and families helped drive this agenda's development.

Advancing health care access and quality

  • An Act relative to social work uplifting practices and exam removal |H1423/S218| — Reps. Barber, Kushmerek/Sen. DiDomenico: Expands the social work career and training pathways to strengthen the workforce and better serve children and families — especially those from diverse backgrounds.
  • An Act relative to reducing administrative burden |S1403| — Sen. Friedman: Improves the prior authorization process to protect timely, necessary care for patients while reducing administrative burden on providers through enhanced transparency, accountability, and patient protections.
  • An Act relative to advancing health equity |H1416/S901| — Rep. Williams/Sen. Payano: Addresses persistent health disparities through comprehensive policy actions, including ensuring all eligible children, regardless of immigration status, can access full MassHealth coverage (language filed separately by Rep. Rogers and Sen. DiDomenico (H1403/S855)).

Healthy children, healthy communities

  • An Act to ensure cleaner air for communities overburdened by outdoor air pollution |H2369/S1548| — Reps. Barber, Connolly/Sen. Jehlen: Empowers the Department of Environmental Protection to improve neighborhood air quality through targeted monitoring, mitigation planning and strategies, and community engagement.
  • An Act relative to an agricultural healthy incentives program: |H222/S104| — Reps. Domb, Vargas/Sen. Comerford: Promotes access to fresh, locally grown foods for families on SNAP, while investing in local farmers and food systems.
  • An Act establishing a Massachusetts Baby Bonds program |H48/H3429/S2146| — State Treasurer Goldberg/Rep. Vargas/Sen. Feeney: Establishes the Massachusetts Baby Bond Trust Fund, enabling public and private investments in future educational and economic opportunity for Massachusetts children.
  • Eliminating Tenant Responsibility for Brokers' Fees |H1 Outside Sections 68, 79| — Governor Healey: Protects prospective tenants by eliminating their responsibility to pay broker fees when the broker is hired by a landlord or housing agent.

Promoting behavioral health access

  • An Act ensuring access to behavioral health services for children involved with state agencies |H213/S111| — Rep. Decker/Sen. Crighton: Ensures appropriate environment and setting-based resources for children with behavioral health needs.
  • An Act relative to MassHealth reimbursement to schools |H545/S862| — Rep. Decker/Sen. Fernandes: Expands funding for school-based health and behavioral health services by redirecting MassHealth reimbursement from the municipality to the school district.
  • An Act expanding access to mental health services |H1131/S773| — Rep. Decker/Sen. Keenan: Strengthens the behavioral health system by increasing insurance coverage, removing prior authorization requirements, and improving emergency psychiatric care.

Learn more about our advocacy

The Children's Advocacy Network (CAN) is Boston Children's Hospital's grassroots advocacy organization, comprised of employees, patients, families, community members, and children's health allies. Sign up to receive the CAN Newsletter, action alerts, e-blasts, and event opportunities by clicking on this link. Join us in the work to promote the health and well-being of children and families.

For more information, please contact Kailey Sultaire, Senior Government Relations Specialist, at kailey.sultaire@childrens.harvard.edu.