In December 2004, two different bills calling for either full or partial restoration were filed:

• Fact sheet about bill calling for full restoration of health care coverage to legally residing immigrants in Massachusetts. This bill was filed by Senator Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford) and Representative Antonio Cabral (D-New Bedford).
  
• Fact sheet about bill calling for Special Status Elderly and Disabled Legal Immigrants. This bill was filed by Senator Montigny and Representative Patricia Jehlen (D-Somerville).

The MIRACLE Campaign held a press conference at the State House. Read the press release.

The MIRACLE Campaign will be highlighted at a number of events sponsored by the Massachusetts Immigrant Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA). View the event schedule to see where and when these Immigrants' Day events will be held.

On April 7th, more than 1,000 immigrants and their advocates gathered at the State House for Immigrants' Day. View the press release.

On April 14, 2005 the House released their Way and Means Committee Budget, which included $9 million to restore primary and preventive health care coverage to 3000 elderly and disabled legal immigrants who were cut in August 2003. While this was terrific news, the budget nevertheless included unwarranted sponsor deeming language (see December 2004). Representative Tony Cabral offered an amendment to the budget which would eliminate the unjust requirement (Cabral Amendment #737). Representative Pat Jehlen offered to file an amendment which would request full restoration for all 10,000 immigrants.

On April 18, 2005, the House appropriated the $9 million necessary to restore health coverage for elderly and disabled immigrants. Organizations can find a thank you letter to send to Speaker DiMasi or Chairman DeLeo in the 'Campaign Materials' section.

View the MIRACLE Campaign press release on the House Budget.

View Chairman DeLeo's Executive Summary where he highlights the restoration of coverage for the elderly and disabled.

Chairman Tony Cabral's amendment was accepted as part of the Medicaid consolidated amendment in the House.

The Senate budget is due to be out in mid-May and we need to make sure that the House Ways and Means committee and the rest of the Senators express a commitment to providing health care for elderly and disabled immigrants. You can find a letter to send to your senator in the 'Campaign Materials' section.

Saturday, May 21st - Take part in Jobs with Justice's 3rd Annual Statewide Health Care Reform Strategy & Planning Meeting in Worcester. View the flyer.

New: Thursday, May 26th - GBIO (Greater Boston Interfaith Organization) Health Care Action. GBIO leaders will join together 1200-strong to pledge support for the proposed "Health Access and Affordability Act" (HB 2777, SB 738). The event will take place at Temple Israel, 477 Longwood Avenue in the Longwood Medical Area (Validated parking available at 375 Longwood Ave.) For details and directions please view the flyer.

New: Wednesday, June 1 - A Listening Session/Speak-Out for Haitian Elders and their Families, sponsored by Ethos and Kit Clark Senior Services.

• Speakers include: Linda Dorcena-Forry, State Representative, Ali Noorani (MIRA Coalition) and Nunotte Zama, Attorney.
• Time: 10 am -12pm
• Where: Church of the Holy Spirit , River St. and Cummins Highway, Mattapan
• Contact Alfred Geneus, Mattapan Center for Life at 617-298-2130.

New: Wednesday, June 8th - Health Care Reform Hearing & Advocacy Day led by the Affordable Care Today! (ACT) Campaign. View the flyer for more information.

New: Saturday, June 25th - The African Community Health Initiatives Project. More details to follow soon.

For more information on the MIRACLE Campaign, please contact us at miracle@realclout.org.