Work requirements for public assistance programs come from a long history of racism in the United States, are ineffective, and are bad for the economy. So, what keeps them alive today?  Means-tested forms of structural racism, such as requiring a person to work to receive public benefits,…

In response to a call for concrete actions, Working Groups were formed comprised of Massachusetts lawyers working in different types of legal organizations and settings, including members from the Affinity Bar Associations of Massachusetts and members of the Standing Committee. Over 50 lawyers…

Effective communications and messaging are a key collective challenge in advancing Opportunity to Purchase campaigns. Faced with monied opposition in communities across the nation, advocates need more tools to combat disinformation about what some see as a complex policy solution while also…

In September 2024 the MassHealth estate recovery statute at GL 118E: 31 was amended. The new law will take effect Dec 5, 2024 and apply retroactively to the probate estates of MassHealth members who die after August 1, 2024. It reduces the scope of estate recovery to only what federal law requires…

The Iceberg Model is useful to unpack the underlying causes that lead to an acute event or issue. Events, trends, and patterns are above the waterline; what we see the most and are most familiar with. Structures are below the surface – they give shape to how everything is arranged, situated, and…