State Senator Jason Lewis proudly represents the people of the Fifth Middlesex District of Massachusetts, which includes the cities and towns of Malden, Melrose, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield, and parts of Winchester. First elected to the Senate in 2014, he has delivered results for his district and been a progressive leader for the Commonwealth. Senator Lewis has long championed educational equity and led the effort to pass the Student Opportunity Act in 2019, landmark legislation to ensure that every child in Massachusetts has access to a high quality public education. Senator Lewis also led the effort in 2018 to raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour and to create a new universal paid family and medical leave program. He was recognized for this achievement by being named an Honorable Mention for the 2018 Bostonians of the Year by the Boston Globe.
An Act to establish the family caregiver tax credit (SD.400)
Helps support caregivers by providing an income tax credit of up to $1,500 to cover expenses incurred for the care and support of a qualifying family member. (Filed in the House by Representative Dave Rogers as HD.2902).
An Act to improve Alzheimer’s and dementia care in Senior Care Options program (SD.460)
Helps our seniors access critical care by requiring MassHealth to provide Dementia Care Coordination to Senior Care Options members who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
An Act relative to diabetes prevention (SD.461)
Addresses increasing rates of diabetes and related health complications by requiring the Department of Public Health to develop and implement a statewide diabetes action plan.
An Act to require the disclosure of lead in water pipes (SD.464)
Protects the health of our children by requiring the disclosure of the presence of lead in residential water pipes prior to sale. Many homes in Massachusetts have lead pipes connecting municipal water to the home; and homeowners have access to state and local assistance programs to help replace these lead pipes.
An Act to promote healthy alternatives to sugary drinks (SD.479)
Improves health and reduces healthcare costs by reducing consumption of sugary beverages linked to high rates of diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and other health conditions. Establishes a tiered per ounce sugary beverage tax estimated to generate $300-400M annually that would be invested in programs to improve children’s health and reduce health disparities. (Filed in the House by Representatives Khan and Santiago as HD.1420).
An Act to protect youth from the health risks of sugary drinks (SD.478)
Prevents youth obesity and other costly health conditions through programs to educate the public about the dangers of sugar-sweetened beverages and healthy alternatives, and prevents the sale of sugary drinks in schools.
An Act supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (Operation House Call) (SD.1064)
Improves quality of care for our autistic and intellectually disabled residents by establishing an accredited certification program for medical professionals specializing in their care.
An Act strengthening the Attorney General’s tools to protect nursing home residents and other patients from abuse and neglect (SD.1028)
Protects our seniors from nursing home abuse by increasing outdated fines and extending the statute of limitations. (Filed in the House by Representative Balser as HD.1575).
An Act to update Medicaid resource limits for seniors (SD.1195)
Increases access to Medicaid health coverage by updating asset limits for seniors. The updated asset limits align with the federal Low Income Subsidy (LIS) program administered by the Social Security Administration.
An Act regarding Medicare savings programs eligibility (SD.1196) – filed together with Senator DiDomenico
Increases access to care and saves seniors money by expanding income eligibility for the federal Medicare Savings Programs to 200% of the federal poverty limit and eliminating the asset limit. (Filed in the House by Representatives Decker and Ultrino as HD.2029).