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Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts senior Paula Kingsbury-Evans, 22, is running to serve as state representative for the 1st Berkshire District. State Rep. John Barrett III, a North Adams Democrat
Massachusetts lawmakers reach deal on health care bill ensuring coverage for telehealth visits, COVID-19 treatment
Updated Dec 23, 2020;
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After nearly five months of closed-door negotiations, Massachusetts legislators have reached a deal on a health care package that requires insurance providers to cover telehealth appointments and a wider range of COVID-19 tests and treatment.
The lead negotiators, Sen. Cindy Friedman and Rep. Ron Mariano, confirmed in a statement Tuesday night they had made progress on the health care bill, two weeks before the end of the legislative session. The bill tackles a series of long-standing issues about telehealth coverage and scope of practice for nurse practitioners and optometrists, while expanding access to affordable COVID-19 treatment and testing, lawmakers say.
Speaker Mariano? Western Massachusetts lawmakers line up behind Quincy Democrat as likely successor to House Speaker Robert DeLeo
Updated Dec 21, 2020;
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Several Western Massachusetts lawmakers committed to backing Majority Leader Ron Mariano’s bid for House speaker should Robert DeLeo step down.
“Without hesitation, I’m supporting Mariano,” said Rep. Smitty Pignatelli, a Lenox Democrat who was first elected in 2003.
Pignatelli is one of eight Western Massachusetts lawmakers who have committed to the Quincy Democrat, a key leader through DeLeo’s 12-year tenure as speaker.
As rumors of DeLeo’s departure grew, Mariano quickly reached out to lawmakers across the state asking for their support. DeLeo acknowledged in a disclosure letter that he planned to start negotiating employment opportunities with Northeastern University, his alma mater. He didn’t say he was stepping down just yet, but Mariano has gotten verbal commitments from representatives across