Author: Cindy Friedman

Response 2025 legislation bans data sharing and shields providers from legal threats

(BOSTON—6/26/2025) Today, the Massachusetts Senate passed the An Act strengthening health care protections in the Commonwealth—otherwise known as the Shield Act 2.0—legislation that would fortify protections for those seeking and providing reproductive and transgender care.

The bill, S.2538, which was approved by a vote of 37-3, adds a layer of protection for patients and providers at a time when attacks on reproductive and transgender rights are escalating on multiple fronts, including executive orders from the Trump Administration, federal funding freezes for care providers, a Supreme Court decision ruling against transgender care, and other states bringing lawsuits against physicians providing reproductive health care. The legislation was sponsored by Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), and strengthens the Shield Law, which was passed in 2022 and also championed by Senator Friedman.

“This bill makes it clear that the Massachusetts Senate will not back down when it comes to protecting our residents and defending our values,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Our residents—indeed all Americans—deserve the right to make their own health care decisions in consultation with their providers. In Massachusetts, we do not discriminate based on the type of care you seek, and this bill strengthens protections for transgender people and those who have the ability to get pregnant. I applaud Senator Cindy Friedman and the Senate Committee on Steering and Policy for coalescing around this bill at this crucial time as part of the Senate’s Response 2025 initiative.… Read more.

Wide-ranging reforms deliver more information to the public and adjust the legislative calendar 

(BOSTON—6/26/2025) The Massachusetts Legislature today adopted joint rules that will make lawmaking more efficient, transparent and accessible to the public while adjusting the legislative calendar to allow more time to get meaningful policy accomplished. The first agreed-upon joint rules since 2019, these new rules will now govern the legislative process, joint committees, and interactions between the House of Representatives and the Senate for the 2025-2026 legislative session. Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington) celebrated the package, voting in favor of the new joint rules in Thursday’s Senate session. 

“In February, we put forward significant reforms to how the Senate chamber operates, but also a joint rules proposal that would address the pressure points that impact how the Legislature as a whole conducts business,” said Senator Friedman, Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Rules. “With these new joint rules, we still honor the traditions of one of the oldest state legislatures in the country but also improve and modernize our procedures. These reforms allow us to be more transparent, effective, and efficient so that we are able to better serve our constituents.” 

To increase public accessibility, committees will now post plain-language bill summaries online, the public will have more advance notice of hearings, and committee attendance and votes will be made public. To increase legislative efficiency, committees are allowed to act independently on bills from their respective chambers, and formal lawmaking will be allowed to continue for the full two-year session. … Read more.

Millions in veterans’ benefits and housing assistance also included

(BOSTON—6/18/2025) Today, the Massachusetts Senate passed a supplemental budget that directs funding to hospitals and community health centers throughout the state confronting rising costs while working to serve vulnerable populations.

The $532 million bill, S.2529, includes $174 million for fiscally strained acute care hospitals and $35 million for community health centers facing financial challenges. Community health centers—many serving residents who live in low-income areas and are uninsured or underinsured—were on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to deliver essential care that is increasingly under threat from federal policies.

Language in the Senate legislation ensures that state funding will go to the hospitals and care centers specifically providing a high percentage of services to vulnerable populations.

“Massachusetts has a healthcare ecosystem that is the envy of other states, and that doesn’t happen by accident. Supporting every resident is part of what it means to be a leader in healthcare access,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This funding will help our hospitals and community health centers provide high-quality care in every region, no matter a patient’s insurance status, as well as provide critical services to our veterans, seniors and municipalities. I’m grateful to Chair Rodrigues for his leadership, Senator Friedman for her unrivalled expertise, and my colleagues for their support on this important legislation.”

“The Senate took action today on reconciling deficiencies of $532 million in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, most notably providing $209 million in critical assistance to fiscally strained acute care hospitals and community health centers,” said Senator Michael J.… Read more.

Friedman joins colleagues to uphold ongoing fiscal responsibility, protect core services, and reinforce the state’s economic foundation in the face of federal uncertainty 

(BOSTON—5/22/2025) The Massachusetts Senate today approved a $61.4 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26). Over three full days of debate, the Chamber adopted 493 amendments, adding a total of $81.1 million in spending for statewide initiatives and local priorities for communities throughout the Commonwealth to the Senate Ways and Means Committee’s originally proposed budget.   

The final budget—which safeguards the state’s financial health, protects the state’s most vulnerable residents, and makes investments that reinforce the Commonwealth’s economic vitality in the face of mounting federal threats—was passed with bipartisan support by a vote of 38-2, with Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington) voting in favor. It neither raises taxes nor spends dollars from the state’s stabilization fund—also known as the ‘Rainy Day Fund’—which currently stands at a historic $8.1 billion.  

“As we continue to evaluate the status of the economic health of our Commonwealth in the midst of federal funding cuts and policy changes, this budget strikes a necessary balance between preparing for an unknown future and funding important priorities on behalf of our residents,” said Senator Friedman, Chair of the Senate Committee on Steering and Policy. “Importantly, this budget allows us to remain vigilant and makes targeted efforts to fund programs that are under threat from the federal government. Through an amendment I filed that was adopted, this budget also gives the Commonwealth an additional tool to lower certain prescription drug costs, which will lead to renewed physical and financial health for our residents.… Read more.

Group Insurance Commission funding ensures providers are paid for care delivered to state employees

(BOSTON—5/15/2025) The Massachusetts Senate today passed a $240 million supplemental budget that will direct funds to the Group Insurance Commission (GIC), the health insurance agency responsible for delivering coverage to state and local government employees. The funding ensures that health care providers will continue to be paid for services rendered to employees.

“Ensuring that the hundreds of thousands of public employees and their loved ones have access to health insurance is one of our most important responsibilities,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I’m proud to advance this legislation and grateful to Chair Rodrigues and the members of the Committee on Ways and Means for acting expeditiously.”

“I’m pleased the Senate has acted swiftly to pass the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s supplemental budget request, filed early last month. This prompt action by the Senate will allow GIC members’ full access to health care, prescription drugs, and all benefit coverage to remain intact,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, (D-Westport) Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.

“The Group Insurance Commission is facing a challenge that is not unique to any insurer, as pharmaceutical usage is going up and the costs of drugs are rising at an unsustainable rate,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. “The Senate is actively working on measures to address this larger issue, as well as other cost drivers throughout the health care system, to relieve the pressure on insurers and the premiums that residents in the Commonwealth face.… Read more.

‘Fair Share’ dollars would be sent to shovel-ready projects around Massachusetts, Friedman secures $750,000 to benefit municipalities and schools in 4^th Middlesex district 

(BOSTON—5/8/2025) The Massachusetts Senate today passed a $1.33 billion plan to invest in public education and transportation across the Commonwealth.  Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington) voted in favor of the Senate bill, which directs funding to expand career and technical education opportunities, bolster construction projects at local schools and college campuses, and support public transit, road and bridge funding for city and town governments.  

The bill, S.2512, prioritizes regional equity by providing support statewide for K-12 school district special education programs, rural roads and bridges, capital improvements for public bus transportation, and infrastructure upgrades at Massachusetts’ public colleges and universities. 

The overwhelming success of the Fair Share amendment to the Constitution—voted for by residents in 2022—generated more than $1 billion over initial projections in fiscal years 2023 and 2024. This legislation contains restricted one-time investments in public education and transportation initiatives and primarily uses funds from that surtax, which is paid by households in Massachusetts earning more than $1 million per year. The Senate will debate its annual general budget later in the month. 

“We all fought for the Fair Share amendment, and this bill bears the fruit of that labor,” said Senator Friedman, Chair of the Senate Committee on Steering and Policy. “The surtax funds allow us to strategically invest in public education and public transportation across the Commonwealth and, due to the fiscal responsibility employed over the last few budget cycles, the growth of the surplus funds affords us the ability to address critical one-time needs.… Read more.

Senate upholds ongoing fiscal responsibility, protects core services, and reinforces the state’s economic foundation in the face of federal uncertainty 

(BOSTON—5/6/2025) The Senate Committee on Ways and Means today released a $61.3 billion Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget proposal that safeguards the state’s financial health, protects the state’s most vulnerable residents, and makes investments that reinforce the Commonwealth’s economic vitality in the face of mounting federal threats. 

“The proposed budget offered by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means is a strong budget that takes measurable steps towards meeting the priorities of our chamber,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Chair of the Senate Committee on Steering and Policy. “Included in this proposal is $1.5 million in funding that I advocated for to continue the progress of standing up the Middlesex County Restoration Center, a program that is truly shaping up to benefit residents of every community in our district, and frankly, is a model the whole country can turn to. I was also excited to see funding for jail diversion initiatives, such as the co-responder model, used by police chiefs throughout our district that diverts individuals to appropriate treatment. I look forward to offering both funding and policy amendments in the areas where I believe that we can and should be stronger, and I am eager to advocate for these changes on the Senate floor.” 

The Committee’s budget recommends a total of $61.3 billion in spending, a $3.61 billion increase over the last fiscal year. Aligned with estimated tax revenue growth, the fiscally responsible spending plan is based on a consensus tax revenue estimate of $41.214 billion for the coming fiscal year, a 2.25 per cent increase over the current fiscal year’s benchmark.  … Read more.

Effort focuses on safeguarding residents, the Massachusetts economy, and state operations

(BOSTON—4/1/2025) In response to federal actions under the second Trump Administration that threaten critical programs and institutions, the Massachusetts Senate is launching RESPONSE 2025, a coordinated effort to protect residents, defend the Commonwealth’s values, and lead Massachusetts through a potentially difficult time.

Under the direction of Senate President Karen Spilka, the Senate Committee on Steering and Policy will spearhead this effort, working closely with Senate committee chairs and policy experts. The RESPONSE 2025 initiative will focus on four key goals:

• Assessing federal actions to determine their real-world impact on Massachusetts.
• Identifying policy solutions to mitigate potential harm and safeguard residents.
• Prioritizing state responses based on need, feasibility, and effectiveness.
• Providing clarity to the public by cutting through misinformation and helping residents understand the state’s role in protecting their rights and services.

“With this initiative, the Senate wants to state unequivocally that we are committed to protecting our residents, defending our values, and leading Massachusetts through the uncertainty of federal action,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “We are watching the systematic erosion of programs, supports and institutions that are critical to the wellbeing of our residents, the health of our economy, and the effective operations of our state—which is consistently ranked high on quality-of-life metrics like education, public safety, healthcare, and veterans’ services, among many things. Our economy is consistently strong thanks to the diversity of industries we support here. But I am worried about the reckless and cruel actions of the current administration and their potential negative impact on the things we value.… Read more.

Remote civic engagement option expands access to local government through June 2027 

(BOSTON—3/20/2025) Today, the Massachusetts Legislature passed legislation to extend the hybrid public meeting option, allowing cities and towns to offer remote participation through June 2027. The extension applies to public bodies and representative town meetings.  

Hybrid meetings enable more civic participation by residents who otherwise might have limited access to public meetings. 

“I have heard from both the leaders and the residents of the communities in the 4^th Middlesex district about the benefits that remote and hybrid meetings have brought to local government,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman, Chair of the Senate Committee on Steering and Policy. “This action will not only increase the ability for residents to be civically engaged, but will also make participation easier for volunteer board members who have other commitments that may conflict with full, in person participation. Based on the track record of success this initiative has had, I hope that we will build consensus to make this measure permanent in the Commonwealth and give local governments the flexibility to hold meetings in a manner that best fits its members’ needs.”  

The Massachusetts Municipal Association estimates that there are over 10,000 boards, committees, and commissions across Massachusetts’ 351 cities and towns. Most officials serving on the panels do so on a volunteer basis.  

Having passed both branches of the Legislature, the bill will now be sent to the Governor for her signature.  

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Returns as Senate Chair of Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, Receives new position as Chair of the Senate Committee on Policy and Steering 

(BOSTON—3/3/2025) Last week, the Massachusetts Senate released committee assignments for the 194th session of the Massachusetts General Court, which spans from January 2025 through December 2026. Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington) was reappointed as Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing and appointed as Chair of the revamped Senate Committee on Policy and Steering. 

“I am incredibly thankful to Senate President Karen Spilka for her continued trust in me to deliver necessary policy reforms to strengthen our Commonwealth’s health care system, especially given the uncertainty of federal health care support and funding,” said Senator Friedman. “I am also excited for the opportunity to bolster the Senate Committee on Policy and Steering and further develop and move strong policy in line with the priorities of the Senate. There is much work to be done in the Legislature to continue to serve our constituents, and I am eager to get started. I look forward to a productive legislative session.” 

Now serving in her fourth full legislative session, Senator Friedman’s full list of committee assignments are as follows: 

• Chair, Senate Committee on Policy and Steering

• Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

• Vice Chair, Senate Committee on Rules

• Member, Joint Committee on Aging and Independence

• Member, Senate Committee on Ethics

• Member, Senate Committee on Personnel and Administration

The committee assignments come on the heels of a robust package of newly adopted Senate rules for the chamber and a proposal for the joint rules governing the full legislature.… Read more.