Kathleen Crogan-Camara for State
Senate: Norfolk Plymouth Bristol

Kathleen Crogan-Camara for State Senate: Norfolk Plymouth BristolKathleen Crogan-Camara for State Senate: Norfolk Plymouth BristolKathleen Crogan-Camara for State Senate: Norfolk Plymouth Bristol
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Kathleen Crogan-Camara for State
Senate: Norfolk Plymouth Bristol

Kathleen Crogan-Camara for State Senate: Norfolk Plymouth BristolKathleen Crogan-Camara for State Senate: Norfolk Plymouth BristolKathleen Crogan-Camara for State Senate: Norfolk Plymouth Bristol
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Black maternal healthcare and standards of care

The State Legislature is conducting a 14-month study on whether Black women suffer more maternal health problems -- every nurse has known that's been true for years -- how about we propose solutions instead of another study?

Mental Health

Mandatory mental health training in schools and municipalities.

Early Childhood Development

Our young children's education suffered in the pandemic -- let's get our schools back up and running, and dedicate resources to filling in the gaps.

Disability Rights

Establish enforcement against abuse and discrimination and exclusion, and for recognition, human dignity, and access.

State Offices

Split up administration from investigative units to make our state agencies accountable and transparent. The relationship now is too "cozy" -- and the people pay the price!

Clean Water

Get the state up and running to eliminate PFAS "forever chemicals" from our drinking water.

Rebuilding Our Economy

Let's get our economy up and running! Let's put the emergency funds to use to recuperate from the crisis!

Environmental Jobs

We can create jobs AND preserve our world, by promoting green industries to fight climate change.

Raising Minimum Wage

The people of Massachusetts demanded an increase to $15 an hour and that will finally go into effect next year. Now let's push again to increase to a "livable wage."

See ALL the people

There are so many disparities that go unseen -- so many issues that aren't advocated for, or even talked about. Let's SEE the people -- let's see ALL the people!

I'll take on "the heavy lift" -- I know how! Will you join me?

Vote Kathleen Crogan-Camara Sept. 6th

An Example where Leadership is Needed in the State Senate

Maternal health care delivery and African-American women

 African-American women have a three times higher rate of death related to childbirth, and disproportionately more complications during pregnancy. I will work to address that disparity as part of expanded healthcare for women during their reproductive years.


Senator Walter Timilty is aware of this issue, and when it came to the State Senate, Timilty voted for a 14-month study to investigate. That report came out in spring 2022 -- it confirmed that it's true that  African-American women have a three times higher morbidity and mortality compared to white women. Every nurse already knew that, because it's been in nursing textbooks for decades. Kathleen thinks the State Senate should DO something about this issue, not just waste taxpayers' money on a 14-month study like Timilty supported. 


When the report finally came out in spring 2022, it included a dozen recommendations, ranging from promoting doulas (birth assistants) to educating maternity doctors about the problem. Timilty chose inaction. Kathleen wants action!


In January 2023, Kathleen will introduce a dozen bills in the State Senate to match the dozen recommendations from the maternal health care report. This is why Massachusetts needs fewer establishment incumbents who do nothing to change the status quo, and why Massachusetts needs more nurses like Kathleen in the State Senate!


Details and background below, with links to the original reports.  


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Only 87% of Black women have healthcare during their reproductive years. I plan to work on expanding coverage for Black women. Only 30% of Black women are eligible under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act.

For years, nurses (including myself) have known these statistics related to Black maternal healthcare disparities, healthcare needs, and maternal morbidity.

  • I want to expand funding for Planned Parenthood, for instance for contraception and reproductive education for young women.
  • I want to see that hospitals adopt best practices and standards (accountability) as it directly relates to African-American maternal healthcare.
  • I want to implement expanded insurance coverage for maternal healthcare for African-American women.


This problem is systemic and longstanding, and the solutions I outline above are also well-established -- but they aren't getting done! The federal Congress has been attempting to address this problem for years -- but the bill has never passed, so the problem continues unaddressed. The same bill has been introduced since 2017, called the "MOMMA's Act" for "Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness." The bills in Congress have been:

  • H.R.5977 & S.3776: MOMMA's Act in 2017-2018 (never passed)
  • H.R.1897 & S.916: MOMMA's Act in 2019-2020 (never passed)
  • H.R.3407 & S.411: MOMMA's Act in 2021-2022 (no action still)

Those bills all say the same thing, such as: "the maternal mortality rate varies drastically for women by race and ethnicity. There are about 13 deaths per 100,000 live births for White women [and] 40.8 deaths per 100,000 live births for Black women." [Finding #5 from S.411 in 2021].
We KNOW what the problem is, and we KNOW the solution -- but the process to implement that solution has been "slow-jammed" for years at the federal level. And the same applies at the state level in Massachusetts -- here, we DID pass a bill -- but only to investigate further, rather than to implement any solution!

State bill H.4818 was signed by Gov. Baker on Jan. 13 2021 -- it created a legislative committee to investigate racial inequities in maternal healthcare. The 27-member committee has until March 2022 to file a report and recommendations and then file a new bill -- why did we delay for 14 months before even writing a bill? Won't the old federal bill from five years ago says the same thing that the new 2022 bill will say?

Do you want to guess what they'll find after 14 months of investigation? I'll bet they conclude the same thing that has been concluded for years -- that Black women suffer 3 times the maternal death rate of White women; and that the solution is more standards and accountability, plus expanded insurance coverage and reproductive education.

I hope the 2021-2022 Massachusetts investigation finds those same conclusions, because nurses have known about this issue for many years. It's good that the Massachusetts legislature started the process -- now let's push them to implement the well-established solutions. I will be following this legislation and advocating for appropriate expanded coverage for Black Maternal health care.


[Statements above can be verified at NationalPartnership.org; in the federal bill S.411 in 2021; and in the state bill H.4818, "An Act to reduce racial inequities in maternal health" The spring 2022 report can be downloaded here: https://kathleen4senate.com/MaternalHealthReportMar22.pdf "Racial Inequities in Maternal Health"

in the district

With Fire Chief Cassford at his swearing-in ceremony in Randolph

Eastern Regional Commission on the Status of Women and Girls Legislative Breakfast 

With Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick McDermott

At Mental Health Declassified

Follow my campaign...

May 14 - Women's Reproductive Rights Rally, Sharon

Women's Reproductive Rights  

I'm the only candidate in this race who cares about Women's Reproductive Rights --here are the specifics: 

   

Bill# H3638 (2020) - Vote#20:  

Family Planning Vote proposed making up to $8 million available for family planning clinics in Massachusetts at risk of losing federal funding under a new Trump administration rule that cuts support for providers that offer abortion services.  

Kathleen Camara would vote YES  

Walter Timilty voted No  

Senate voted YES: 33; NO: 2    


Bill# S4 (2019) - Vote#291:  

ROE Act Vote proposed an amendment to increase equitable access to abortion by expanding access to abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy in cases of a lethal fetal diagnosis; allowing 16 and 17 year olds to make their own decisions about abortion care without having to go before a judge; streamlining access for those under 16 years old by allowing remote hearings, eliminating the need for young people to travel to a courthouse and stand before a judge; and codifying a right to non-interference in access to reproductive health care.  

Kathleen Camara would vote YES  

Walter Timilty voted No   

Senate voted YES: 32; NO: 6    


Bill#H5179 (201920) - Vote#307:  

Governor's Amendment on abortion access: Vote was on an amendment from the Governor undermining equitable access to abortion services  

Kathleen Camara would vote NO  

Walter Timilty voted Yes  

Senate voted NO: 31; YES: 7    


Vote for Kathleen Crogan-Camara in the Democratic primary on Sept 6th! Know who you're voting for -- then tell others. I'll do the hard work, but I need your help to get elected. 

May 25 - Massachusetts Teachers Association Special Education Forum


I came to the Massachusetts Teachers Association on Special Education Forum to support this very special topic. This is Mia, who is home schooled - Guide Post Montessori program. Mia is a very smart very social little girl! As your State Senator I’ll show up for our values, and not just at election time. Thank you Mia!

May 10 - National Junior Honor Society Easton Chapter Induction Ceremony, Easton, MA


With Alyani Veiga, newly-inducted member of the National Junior Honor Society Easton Chapter. It was so great hearing about her achievements and contributions to her community! It was a pleasure to attend the Easton Chapter National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony today at the Easton Middle School. The last induction ceremony was 2019. It was great to meet the students and their parents! The students have worked so hard. Parents too. We talked about how I'll work to get teachers what they need to continue the great work I saw tonight!

May 2 - Soul Focus in Bridgewater


Thank you, Wendy Gabriel, for showing me this lovely space "Soul Focus" in Bridgewater, where women come together and collaborate with one another. It was great to be with many dynamic Bridgewater women who create fun events to raise money so they can give to families that may be in need.

April 29 - Forbes Museum, Milton


Thank you to Heidi Vaughn, Director of the Forbes Museum (Milton, MA), for the informative tour and conversation about the Forbes family's involvement in the Opium Trade and the link to the current opioid epidemic. With over 10,000 opioid deaths nationwide and delayed opening of facilities, psychiatric beds and a shortage of Addiction Treatment Nurses. As a Candidate for State Senate, this is an issue I care about. Elect me Sept. 6th and I'll work collaboratively to fix it.

April 26 - Celebrating the appointment of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson with the Randolph Women's Club


It was a pleasure to be part of this celebration!

April 24 - Randolph Lion's Club Spaghetti Dinner


Here at the delicious Randolph Lion's Club Spaghetti dinner at the AmVets with my friend Toby Lynne Schwartz, Co-Vice Chair of the Randolph Democratic Town Committee.

April 13 - Meeting Congresswoman Pressley


Congresswoman Pressley arrives in Randolph MA to deliver $1 million in federal funding for a Community Health Center in Randolph.

April 10 - West Bridgewater, MA


Listening to a West Bridgewater resident and his care giver

March 17 - St. Patrick's Day


It's St. Patrick's Day, so I got out my St. Patrick's Day dress and I'll be going to events all week. Easter egg hunt at Irish Cultural Center, Canton, MA. Breakfast and Easter egg hunt!

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or send a check payable to Committee to Elect Kathleen Crogan-Camara 

to this address: 

Committee to Elect Kathleen Crogan-Camara 

52 West St., Randolph MA 02368


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