In her first week in office, newly-elected state Senator Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington) officially signed her name onto two pieces of legislation in regards to health care reform and immigration policy.
“I’m proud to co-sponsor the ‘Medicare for All’ bill, which would establish a single-payer health care system in Massachusetts. With the enactment of this bill, we can lower costs and ensure that everyone in our state has access to quality, affordable health care,” Friedman explained.
“Health care is a basic human right and creating a single-payer health care system that benefits everyone is one way to ensure that. We, as a state, have to take the lead on reforming health care and this bill is a step in the right direction. I will make sure that it continues to be part of the discussion in the Senate.”
Friedman also co-sponsored the Safe Communities Act, which would ensure that state resources are not used to enforce federal immigration law. The bill would also prohibit state collaboration with the federal government for the purpose of creating a federal registry program based on national origin or other protected characteristics.
“Adopting the Safe Communities Act is critical, especially in light of the anti-immigrant policies being pushed by the Trump administration,” Friedman stated. “Massachusetts has always been a welcoming community to all and we need to continue to facilitate an inclusive environment for everyone who chooses to reside here.”
Friedman went on, “We have made a commitment as legislators to protect the people we represent – I will firmly oppose any legislation that seeks to promote divisiveness and will support every effort to protect equal rights for all people across our Commonwealth.”
Friedman’s official co-sponsorship of the Safe Communities Act followed the filing of Governor Baker’s immigration enforcement bill that would allow local and state law enforcement to cooperate with ICE agents under certain situations. Several Democratic legislators, including Friedman, have strongly opposed the bill.
Friedman represents the 4th Middlesex district, which includes Arlington, Billerica, Burlington, Woburn, and parts of Lexington.