What's new at MLS

See the action alert from Health Care for All, below, asking you to contact your state senator to ask for their support for Amendment #216, which would restore the MassHealth adult dental program and add coverage for root canals and crowns.    Please also ask your state senator…

A few resources and updates below before the weekend - stay tuned next week for a sign on letter from the anti-hunger community to the MA delegation for the Biden/Harris transition team!   DTA SNAP Application, Phone Line, & Processing Data During COVID   Attached is a…

Massachusetts' Open Enrollment period for 2021 coverage began on November 1, 2020 and will continue through January 23, 2021.    Anybody who wants to enroll in 2021 coverage through the Health Connector (or to purchase an individual plan directly from an insurance company) can…

Recent news reports have highlighted a growing fear among immigrants seeking necessary services, such as food assistance, health care, and police protection. Some of these fears are based on immigrants concerned their personal information will be shared with immigration…

On May 12, MassHealth posted notice of its intent to ask CMS for 3 amendments to the 1115 waiver.  It will accept public comments until June 12. The public notice, summary of the proposed amendments, and draft amendment request are posted here:…

Many of you have asked for SNAP data by city/town or Zip code on the impact of the SNAP caseload reduction in Massachusetts.  While the SNAP caseload has indeed started to turn the corner and increase since May 2015, the MA caseload has still suffered a serious decline.  We are providing you with a…

SNAP Caseload Update - MA continues to improve USDA data shows .6% increase in Massachusetts for July 2015. For the third month in a row, the SNAP household participation has increased. The most recent available data posted in October for July 2015 shows a .6% increase for MA. The…

1. Substance use disorder services  Last year a state law improving substance use disorder services was enacted (c. 258 St. 2014). A provision requiring MassHealth & MassHealth managed care plans to cover detox and up to 14 day crisis stabilization services without prior authorization…

Please see email from Frank Martinez Nocito re second round of FINI grants announced by USDA. If your organization is interested in applying, please contact Frank at DTA directly. And REMINDER -  Statewide Food for Good Conference at UMass Amherst on Friday, October 30th! Central MA…

1. MassHealth Renewals Extension to Oct 16 for people with disabilities. In August MassHealth notified about 35,000 households containing 62,000 individuals with at least one member with a disability that they had to submit a reapplication by Sept 15 to remain eligible for MassHealth. The…