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?
Mandatory mental health training in schools and municipalities.
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.
Establish enforcement against abuse and discrimination and exclusion, and for recognition, human dignity, and access.
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!
Get the state up and running to eliminate PFAS "forever chemicals" from our drinking water.
Let's get our economy up and running! Let's put the emergency funds to use to recuperate from the crisis!
We can create jobs AND preserve our world, by promoting green industries to fight climate change.
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."
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!
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.
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:
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"
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
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
It was a pleasure to be part of this celebration!
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.
Congresswoman Pressley arrives in Randolph MA to deliver $1 million in federal funding for a Community Health Center in Randolph.
Listening to a West Bridgewater resident and his care giver
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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