Massachusetts State House, with Zoom options, May 19th, 2025, with the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities. Starting at 10:30 am in person at the MA State House, room 428 or on zoom to hear from invited experts as they discuss the most pressing challenges, disparities, and priorities affecting health equity for people with disabilities in Massachusetts.
* The hearing will highlight systemic barriers to care, current initiatives across state agencies and healthcare systems, and ways to strengthen collaboration between policymakers, providers, and advocates.
* This hearing is not intended to address specific legislation or pending bills. Testimony will be limited to invited organizations, though members of the public are welcome to attend and observe.
Confirmed Experts:
- Dr. Craig Andrade – Health Equity Compact, Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts
- Linda Long Bellil – Assistant Professor, Family Medicine and Community Health, UMass Chan Medical School
- Keith Jones – Disability Rights Advocate
- John Madondo – CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Massachusetts
- Nassira Nicola – Deputy Director for Access and Inclusion, Office of Health Equity and Community Engagement, Department of Public Health
- Maura Sullivan – The Arc of Massachusetts
- Heather Watkins – Disability Rights Advocate
ASL and CART interpreters will be available.
Light refreshments will be served by Community Work Services
To register or for more information visit www.mass.gov/news/informational-hearing-advancing-health-equity-for-people-with-disabilities
or Imene Bouziane Saidi, Executive Director atimene.bouzianesaidi@mass.gov 
