Health Action MA

🌟 501(c)(4) non-profit protecting rights in MA
📚 Advocating for education & health equity
🚫 Stopped 21 harmful bills since 2019
🤝 Support our work today!

[Health Action MA @HealthActionMA]

At a legislative briefing hosted by Health Action MA, Alida — a lawyer, mother, and immigrant — shared how her Indigenous and ancestral faith guides her life and family.

As Massachusetts considers bills that would remove religious exemptions for school attendance, her story highlights what is often missed when policymakers focus only on “major” religions.

Religious freedom exists to protect minorities — not just beliefs deemed acceptable by the majority.

No child should ever be denied access to education because of their sincerely held religious beliefs.

Thank you @MoncadaAlida for being brave and sharing your heartfelt story so publicly.

#HealthActionMA #ReligiousFreedom #EducationForAll #ParentalRights

@maryhollandnyc @AaronSiriSG @teacher_choice @standforhealth1 @MaryBowdenMD @healthactionma

[Health Action MA @HealthActionMA]

🚨 20% off TODAY ONLY - CODE: FINALDAY20

They were trained to follow orders…
but sworn to defend the Constitution.

During COVID-19, U.S. service members were given orders many believed were unlawful — and told their careers depended on compliance.

Some obeyed.
Others refused.
Nearly all paid a price.

Duty to Disobey reveals what happened to those who stood their ground — and why their story matters to every American.

This is more than a film.

It’s a wake-up call.

🎬 WORLD PREMIERE + Q&A
📍 Embassy Theater
16 Pine St, Waltham, MA 02453
🗓 Tuesday, June 30 | 7:00 PM
Doors open 6:00 PM • Movie at 7:00 PM followed by Q&A

Merchandise available for purchase at the event!
🎟 Limited tickets remaining — get yours NOW!

👉 https://t.co/aVQ1ZPyeBE
Hosted by Health Action MA

A Tommey Burrowes production of a CHD film

[Health Action MA @HealthActionMA]

🚨 We’re only at 54% ticket sales — let’s fill the theater!

They were trained to follow orders…
but sworn to defend the Constitution.

During COVID-19, U.S. service members were given orders many believed were unlawful — and told their careers depended on compliance.

Some obeyed.
Others refused.
Nearly all paid a price.

Duty to Disobey reveals what happened to those who stood their ground — and why their story matters to every American.

This is more than a film.

It’s a wake-up call.

🎬 WORLD PREMIERE + Q&A
📍 Embassy Theater
16 Pine St, Waltham, MA 02453
🗓 Tuesday, June 30 | 7:00 PM

Doors open 6:00 PM • Movie at 7:00 PM followed by Q&A
Merchandise available for purchase at the event!

🎟 Limited tickets remaining — get yours NOW!
👉 https://t.co/aVQ1ZPxGM6

Hosted by Health Action MA
A Tommey Burrowes production of a CHD film

[Health Action MA @HealthActionMA]

We are still short of our fundraising goal by $4,720, and our advocacy platform invoice is due June 14th. As we enter the home stretch of this legislative session, we are truly in the trenches and we NEED YOUR HELP.

This platform is the backbone of so much of what we do. It allows us to:
• Create action campaigns on bills we support and oppose
• Send prewritten emails directly to elected officials
• Send legislative updates and urgent alerts
• Manage our advocate database
• Send text alerts
• Allow advocates to track their advocacy activity and participation
• And much more

This is truly the lifeline for families and for Health Action MA.

Every email alert, action campaign, legislator contact, and urgent update relies on this system to function. Without it, our ability to rapidly mobilize, inform families, and advocate during critical legislative moments would be significantly impacted.

We understand that this is a difficult financial time for many families right now, and we never take that lightly. But if you are in a position to help, please consider making a donation — even small contributions truly add up and help us continue this work during one of the most critical times of the legislative session.

Donation link:
https://t.co/gfkBA7dDlU

Thank you all for continuing to stand with us, support families, and help keep this movement going

[Health Action MA @HealthActionMA]

BUDGET WIN! Following significant lobbying and advocacy efforts led by Health Action MA — Senator Rausch was asked to withdraw Amendment EHS 546.
———-
Senator Becca Rausch submitted language from her controversial Community Immunity Act (S.3070) into the FY2027 Senate Budget under “Infectious Disease Prevention” through Amendment EHS 546.

This amendment proposed significant potentially harmful impacts on educational access, parental rights, and public health authority. Policies of this magnitude should never be inserted into the state budget process in a manner that bypasses the level of scrutiny, public debate, and legislative review such proposals warrant.

We are happy to report that the amendment was WITHDRAWN this evening.

This marked the sixth attempt to advance portions of her proposed legislation through the state budget process.

DONATE TO HELP US CONTINUE OUR WORK, VISIT https://t.co/5e8IfudH5h

[Health Action MA @HealthActionMA]

🚨 BILL UPDATE: S.1244 — An Act Enhancing Access to Abortion Care - Presented by: Senator Rebecca Rausch

THE BILL HAS BEEN REPORTED OUT FAVORABLY AND REFERRED TO THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE FINANCING

This bill would remove §12F’s prohibition on minors consenting to sterilization and abortion, allowing qualifying minors to access these services without parental knowledge or consent.

It also expands the state’s minor consent law to allow minors to consent to preventative medical care—including vaccinations—without parental involvement, regardless of age or intellectual capacity.

S.1244’s companion bill H.1815 has been sent to study. In MA, “sent to study” means the bill will not move forward this session.

Visit: https://t.co/gDsU8T7Th1 to visit our Action Center to oppose this bill and others that threaten parental rights

📌 Stay informed and follow along:
https://t.co/NJjoqrg4nG

#HealthActionMA #Massachusetts #BillUpdate #ParentalRights

[Health Action MA @HealthActionMA]

MASSACHUSETTS WORLD PREMIERE + Q&A

Duty to Disobey

Embassy Theater, 16 Pine St, Waltham, MA 02453

June 30 | 7:00 PM

Doors open 6:00pm, movie starts at 7:00pm followed by Q&A

A variety of merchandise will be available for purchase at the event.

Get your tickets now — limited availability
https://t.co/aVQ1ZPxGM6

Hosted by: Health Action MA
A Tommey Burrowes production of a CHD film

[Health Action MA @HealthActionMA]

H.2554 Bill Update – April 15, 2026

The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing voted “Ought to Pass” on April 9th. That report became official today, and the bill has now been sent to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

This is the bill that would eliminate religious exemptions for routine childhood immunizations for K-12 students in both public and private schools across Massachusetts.

This is a key step, but the bill still has a long way to go. With over 8,000 bills filed this session and only 3.5 months left until the formal session ends on July 31, the timeline is very tight.

What Needs to Happen Next? Typically:
* Favorable report from House Ways and Means
* Second & Third Readings + floor vote in the House
* Move to the Senate (Senate Ways and Means, Steering & Policy, and final Senate vote)

After July 31, the Legislature enters informal session, where controversial bills like this are typically not taken up as it takes just one no vote to stop it.

What This Means & What You Can Do:

We are closely monitoring every move, meeting with lawmakers, and will keep you updated.

Now is the time to speak up. Please reach out to your state representative and senator. Tell them how this bill could harm families — especially the real risk of children losing access to education and the heavy burden it would place on parents.

We’ll be sending out easy messaging templates and hosting a webinar with our lobby team soon so you can ask questions.

Budget season is also here — we expect Sen. Rausch to file amendments again. We need to stay alert and work together to stop both the bill and any harmful amendments.

We’re stronger together. Stay engaged

More updates coming soon.

Sign up for our newsletter https://t.co/MLIDXkHWwf

[Leslie Manookian @LeslieManookian]

HE SIGNED!!! The IDAHO MEDICAL FREEDOM ACT is LAW. Idaho is the freest state!!!
Congrats & gratitude to my health freedom sisters @liberty4_ever @ClendenonSarah and all the legislators who made this dream come true. @robbeiswenger @josh_idaho
https://t.co/ozqX6R9dhA

[Health Action MA @HealthActionMA]

@LeslieManookian @liberty4_ever @ClendenonSarah @robbeiswenger @josh_idaho Congratulations from Massachusetts and thank you for your tireless work in making this happen.

[Health Action MA @HealthActionMA]

MASSACHUSETTS BILL UPDATE: S.1244 — EXTENDED TO TUESDAY JUNE 30, 2026

S.1244– An Act Enhancing Access to Abortion Care - Presented by: Senator Rebecca Rausch

This bill would remove §12F’s prohibition on minors consenting to sterilization and abortion, allowing qualifying minors to access these services without parental knowledge or consent.

It also expands the state’s minor consent law to allow minors to consent to preventative medical care—including vaccinations—without parental involvement, regardless of age or intellectual capacity.

S.1244’s companion bill H.1815 has been sent to study. In MA, “sent to study” means the bill will not move forward this session.

Stay informed and follow along: https://t.co/NJjoqrg4nG

[Health Action MA @HealthActionMA]

They were trained to follow orders…
but sworn to defend the Constitution.

During COVID-19, U.S. service members were given orders many believed were unlawful—and told their careers depended on compliance.

Some obeyed.
Others refused.
Nearly all paid a price.

Duty to Disobey reveals what happened to those who stood their ground—and why their story matters to every American.

This is more than a film.
It’s a wake-up call.

🎬 WORLD PREMIERE + Q&A
📍 Embassy Theater Waltham, MA
🗓 June 30 | 7:00 PM

🎟 Get your tickets now — limited availability
👉 https://t.co/aVQ1ZPxGM6

Hosted by: Health Action MA
A Tommey Burrowes production of a CHD film

[Health Action MA @HealthActionMA]

🚨 BILL UPDATE: S.2623 — REPORTING DATE EXTENDED TO TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2026

S.2623 – An Act Promoting Community Immunity - Presented by Senator Becca Rausch.

This bill would expand state control over immunization policy while limiting parental involvement and medical discretion.

It allows minors to consent to vaccines without parental knowledge or age and mental capacity guidelines, requires doctors to sign exemption forms—which may lead to patient dismissal—and mandates annual state approval for exemptions with no clear appeal process.

It may also restrict access to medical exemptions for medically fragile children and introduces “Elevated Risk” designations tied to a state-defined herd immunity threshold—potentially leading to public labeling and exclusion of healthy children, even without an outbreak.

Extensions like this are not uncommon. Health Action MA will continue to monitor this bill and
provide updates, tools, and support.

📌 Follow us and sign up for our newsletter to stay informed if this bill moves.

#HealthActionMA #Massachusetts #BillUpdate #MAleg #MedicalFreedom #SchoolPolicy #PublicHealth #MAParents

[Health Action MA @HealthActionMA]

🚨 BILL UPDATE: H.2554 — REPORTING DATE EXTENDED TO MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2026

H.2554 – An Act Relative to Routine Childhood Immunizations - Presented by Rep. Andres X. Vargas.

If enacted, this bill would eliminate the religious exemption for school immunization requirements for K–12 students in both public and private schools across Massachusetts.

This could impact access to education for families who rely on religious exemptions and raises concerns about educational equity and inclusion.

Extensions like this are not uncommon. Health Action MA will continue to monitor this bill and provide updates, tools, and support.

📌 Follow us and sign up for our newsletter to stay informed if this bill moves. https://t.co/Rb6nrctYkd

#HealthActionMA #Massachusetts #BillUpdate #MApoli #ReligiousFreedom #SchoolPolicy #PublicHealth #MAParents

[Health Action MA @HealthActionMA]

🚨 BILL UPDATE: H.2496 — SENT TO STUDY

H.2496, a bill aimed at prohibiting harmful artificial food dyes in competitive school foods, has been sent to study in Massachusetts.

In MA, “sent to study” means the bill will not move forward this session.

We appreciate Rep. Joe McKenna’s leadership on this issue and efforts to support student health.

Stay informed and follow along:
https://t.co/NJjoqrg4nG

#HealthActionMA #Massachusetts #BillUpdate #SchoolHealth #MApoli #PublicHealth #FoodPolicy #MAParents

[Health Action MA @HealthActionMA]

🚨 BILL UPDATE: H.2541 — SENT TO STUDY

H.2541, a bill focused on protecting and strengthening medical exemptions for school immunizations, has been sent to study in Massachusetts.

In MA, “sent to study” means the bill will not move forward this session.

We appreciate Rep. Mike Soter’s leadership on this issue and his efforts to support children’s health and protect medical decision-making.

📌 Stay informed and follow along:
https://t.co/NJjoqrg4nG

#HealthActionMA #Massachusetts #BillUpdate #MAleg #MedicalFreedom #SchoolPolicy #PublicHealth #MAParents

[Health Action MA @HealthActionMA]

BILL UPDATE: H.1815 — SENT TO STUDY*

H.1815 – An Act Enhancing Access to Abortion - Presented by: Rep. Sally Kerans

This bill would remove §12F’s prohibition on minors consenting to sterilization and abortion, allowing qualifying minors to access these services without parental knowledge or consent.
It also expands the state’s minor consent law to allow minors to consent to preventative medical care—including vaccinations—without parental involvement, regardless of age or intellectual capacity.

Reported by committee to the Clerk’s Office for processing and will accompany a study order. In Massachusetts, “sent to study” means the bill does not advance this session.

H.1815’s companion bill S.1244 remains with the Joint Committee on the Judiciary with an extended reporting date of Thursday April 2, 2026

Stay informed and follow along:
https://t.co/NJjoqrg4nG

#HealthActionMA #Massachusetts#BillUpdate #MAleg #ParentalRights

[Health Action MA @HealthActionMA]

The U.S. Supreme Court just acted in Mirabelli v. Bonta, allowing a court order blocking school policies that kept parents uninformed about a student’s social transition.

The Court signaled parents are likely to succeed on religious freedom claims — reinforcing that parents have primary authority over their children.

As Massachusetts debates bills expanding minor consent (S.2623, S.1244/H.1815) and removing religious exemptions for school vaccines (H.2554), the constitutional questions around parental rights and religious liberty are becoming more relevant.

Follow @HealthActionMA
https://t.co/5e8IfudH5h
#healthactionma