Mass Senior Action is a grassroots senior-run organization committed to empowering seniors and others to act collectively to promote the rights and well-being of all people, particularly vulnerable seniors. We have over 1,000 members, 30 affiliated groups, and seven active chapters located in Boston, Bristol County, Cambridge, Central Massachusetts, Greater Springfield, Metro North and North Shore
communities. Mass Senior Action has a proud history of effective community organizing and legislative advocacy on health care, housing, transportation, and other issues. We are known for turning out large numbers of members to public rallies, hearings, and press events. We work closely with organized labor, community-based organizations, churches, and progressive coalitions committed to social and economic justice for all. We are respected as one of the most dynamic, effective grassroots senior organizing groups in the country. Grassroots leadership development lies at the heart of Mass Senior Action's success. Our focus is not only to win on issues, but to help people learn organizing skills, develop new relationships, and build community. We are racially and ethnically diverse. We work in coalition for people with disabilities, children, and working families. We are fighting for future generations, not just for ourselves. The political, social and economic landscape for seniors and their families would look very different without the tireless work of Mass Senior Action members over the past 30 years. Some of our most important achievements include:
Passage of the Medicare "Balanced Billing" law. The statute, which withstood a U.S. Supreme Court challenge and served as a model for other states, has saved Massachusetts seniors hundreds of millions of dollars since 1986. Because of this bill, seniors and people with disabilities in Massachusetts may not be charged more than the Medicare-approved fee by their doctors. Hospital discharge reform. In the late 1980’s, Mass Senior Action led a successful coalition campaign that won model legislation requiring 24-hour notice and viable home care plans in place before patients could be sent home from hospitals. Passage of the Senior Security Ordinance. A city-wide public safety ordinance governing all public and privately subsidized housing for seniors and people with disabilities in Boston. Prescription Advantage. Winning passage of the nation's only state-subsidized prescription drug insurance program. Mass Senior Action's advocacy insured that the program was affordable for low income seniors and people with disabilities. Our chapters have also fought and won on many issues that are important within a local community - for example, getting a new Senior Center built in Malden, or keeping security guards intact in Boston Housing Authority senior housing. Whether an issue is statewide or local, Mass Senior Action members understand that you don't just take it, you take charge.
