An energetic, visionary, and proven leader, Eric Lesser will partner with our next Governor to make sure she is the most successful in the country. Together, they will work on the biggest issue our state faces: the skyrocketing cost of living. Eric has a plan to fix our broken transportation system, build more housing, create better jobs, protect our environment, and make our state more affordable and equitable.
Eric understands that Massachusetts has so much going for it. But despite our Commonwealth’s considerable advantages, it’s harder and harder to live here. It’s too expensive – housing is out of control, transportation is unreliable, and childcare costs are crushing families. Meanwhile, small pockets of our state boom while entire regions are left behind. Our current situation doesn’t work: it creates skyrocketing prices and gridlock in some places, and vacuums jobs and opportunity from others.
Eric knows from personal experience how health care can change lives. His mother is a clinical social worker, and his father is a family physician who served the Medical Corps on active duty in Iraq. They started a solo medical practice in Holyoke, serving some of our Commonwealth’s highest-need populations.
In Massachusetts, Eric’s priorities include expanding mental health care and addiction treatment, taking on high drug prices, and building out our workforce.
The Massachusetts Academy of Family Physicians named Eric as its 2022 Legislative Champion of Family Medicine, acknowledging his accomplishments for workforce development and his inclusive approach to public policy.
Eric authored and passed a new law creating a bulk purchasing program for Narcan — a drug that reverses opioid overdoses — to ensure that schools and first responders could afford this life-saving drug. After the success of this program, he passed a similar law to reduce the price of Epi-Pens – another critically important drug.
Eric voted for the ABC (Addressing Barriers to Care) and ABC 2.0 Acts, which have overhauled the mental health care system in Massachusetts. They expanded telehealth services, worked to diversify the mental health workforce, guarantee annual mental health wellness exams, enforce mental health parity laws so insurers cover mental illnesses like physical ones.
Eric advocated to address the high prices of prescription drugs by empowering the Health Policy Commission (HPC) to fine drug manufacturers who do not comply with affordable pricing. The money from the fines then goes toward a drug cost assistance program. The bill also caps co-pays for insulin at $25 per 30-day supply.
Eric helped increase the transparency of insurance provider networks so that consumers can have more information about their health insurance options.
Eric supported the Senate’s passage of a bill that addresses continuing racial inequities in the Commonwealth’s maternal health outcomes, specifically in cases of maternal mortality and morbidity.
In 2017, Eric launched the Thrive After 55 Health and Wellness Fair in Springfield to connect seniors with dozens of exhibitors providing resources and education on everything from nutrition and identity theft protection to yoga demonstrations. The event demonstrates the importance of making resources accessible.