Press Release: 5/20/2025

Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities Hosts Hearing on Advancing Health Equity

 



The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities hosted a hybrid informational hearing at the Massachusetts State House on May 19, 2025.



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:



5/19/2025



MEDIA CONTACT



Imene Bouziane Saidi, Executive Director



 Online



Email Imene Bouziane Saidi, Executive Director at imene.bouzianesaidi@mass.gov



Health Equity Experts and Commissioners gather for a group photo at the State House.



BOSTON — BOSTON – The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities hosted a hybrid informational hearing at the Massachusetts State House on May 19, 2025. The hearing brought together healthcare professionals, disability advocates, and state leaders to examine systemic barriers to health equity and elevate disability-inclusive approaches to care.



The event provided a platform for invited subject matter experts to share data, discuss lived experience, and highlight collaborative strategies aimed at advancing equitable healthcare access and outcomes for people with disabilities. While the hearing did not address specific legislation, the Commission emphasized the importance of data-driven findings and community-informed solutions that can shape inclusive health policies and programs.



Executive Director Imene Bouziane Saidi opened the hearing, thanking attendees and announcing accessibility services available for both in-person and virtual participants.



"This hearing reflects the Commission’s commitment to meaningful dialogue" said Bouziane Saidi. "Bringing together government, healthcare, and disability community partners is critical to identifying gaps and building responsive, inclusive systems of care."



The Commission was honored to welcome the following presenters:




  • Dr. Craig Andrade, Health Equity Compact

  • Heather Watkins, Disability Rights Advocate

  • Nassira Nicola, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

  • Keith Jones, Disability Rights Advocate

  • John Madondo, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan

  • Erica Guimarães, MassHealth

  • Dr. Joseph Giacino, Spaulding Rehabilitation Network / MGH / Harvard Medical School

  • Nicole Godaire, Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts

  • Dr. Linda Long Bellil, UMass Chan Medical School

  • Maura Sullivan, The Arc of Massachusetts



Speakers offered perspectives into how disability and social determinants of health intersect, shared promising initiatives underway in their sectors, and emphasized the need for sustained cross-sector collaboration to address disparities in care access, quality, and outcomes.



"Today’s session made clear that there is much work left to be done to remedy the many forms of health inequity that continue to impact citizens of the Commonwealth. At the same time, I have no doubt that a collective effort to mitigate these inequities that cuts across all the health sectors we heard about today can empower tangible and sustainable change, ultimately improving lives."

— Dr. Joseph Giacino, Spaulding Rehabilitation Network / MGH / Harvard Medical School



"It was an honor to participate in such a valuable learning exchange where a range of insight was shared including many intersectional perspectives. Health equity should always be a priority actively worked on and never a passing fad."

— Heather Watkins, Disability Rights Advocate



"By empowering families as educators and immersing future clinicians in the lived experiences of individuals with autism and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Operation House Call is actively dismantling barriers that contribute to health disparities across the Commonwealth. Our nationally recognized model is now in partnership with every medical school in Massachusetts. We are grateful to the MA legislature and the Department of Public Health for their support."

— Maura Sullivan, MPA, Chief Executive Officer, The Arc of Massachusetts



"Disparities in access to healthcare are not by happenstance they are intentional. With that same intentionality those disparities in access and equity can be addressed and erased."

— Keith Jones, Disability Rights Advocate



"Medical students are highly motivated to provide quality healthcare to ALL patients. Educating them about the needs of people with disabilities helps them become better doctors and is essential to eliminate disparities and improve health outcomes for members of the disability community."

— Dr. Linda M. Long-Bellil, Ph.D., J.D., Assistant Professor, Shriver Center / UMass Chan Medical School



The hearing aligns with the Commission’s broader goal of advancing health equity through its statewide priorities, and the testimonies gathered will help inform future policy recommendations and Commission initiatives.



For more information and to access the recording, visit: https://www.mass.gov/news/informational-hearing-advancing-health-equity-for-people-with-disabilities



More information about the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities can be found here.