|
|
|
|
Remarks by Senator Richard T. Moore November 12, 2006...On this weekend when we honor our veterans who have fought, and are still fighting, the battles to protect our national “life, liberty and pursuit of happiness,” the Milford area welcomes a new ally in the battle against an enemy that strikes even closer to home, and claims as many lives as any foe that our military has ever faced. The word “cancer” strikes fear in all of us because, too often, it leads to the death of those we know and love. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States with over 1.4 million new cases – nearly 100,000 in Massachusetts – diagnosed each year. The good news is that cancer is, for the most part, preventable and, with early detection, can be successfully treated. The number of new cancer cases can be reduced and many cancer deaths can be prevented. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tell us that making cancer screening, information, and referral services available and accessible is essential for reducing the high rates of cancer and cancer deaths. Screening tests for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers reduce the number of deaths by detecting them early. Vaccines, like the new HPV vaccine that will prevent most forms of cervical cancer, are another sign of progress in the fight against cancer. Helping us to adopt healthier lifestyles— such as avoiding tobacco use, improving nutrition, and avoiding sun overexposure—can significantly reduce a person’s risk for cancer. These are all reasons why bringing a world-class cancer center to our Milford area is so important! Improving access to quality health care is a goal that I have pursued for some time, especially in developing our new Health Care Reform legislation that has attracted national attention. We are reducing the number of our fellow citizens who are without health insurance that brings access to care. But increasing access to care financially won’t make us healthier if that care isn’t easily accessible geographically. The late Speaker “Tip” O’Neill often noted that “all politics is local.” Well, much of health care is local as well. Dana Farber’s and Brigham and Women’s $25 million partnership with Milford Regional Medical Center represents a major step toward improving access to high quality care for the people who I have the honor to represent on Beacon Hill. This new facility and the highly skilled professionals that will work within it will make cancer prevention, screening, and treatment readily available to all of us in this area. All of us share a responsibility to minimize our risk of cancer by our lifestyles, and by making full use of the benefits that Dana Farber’s presence in our community provides. I am also excited by Dana Farber’s presence in our region for another reason beyond bringing the best in cancer treatment to Milford. Dana Farber, because of a tragic experience a decade ago, has become a national leader in patient safety. When Boston Globe health reporter Betsy Lehman died from a chemotherapy overdose, Dana Farber didn’t hide behind the traditional hospital “wall of silence.” They launched an especially aggressive overhaul of their system so that such tragedies are less likely to occur in the future and they have shared their knowledge of patient safety with the rest of health care. Dana Farber’s partnership with Milford Regional Medical Center will, I believe, help Milford to focus even more effectively on patient safety and health care quality. A third potential benefit from the new partnership will, I hope, be that the presence of world-class health care in our community will inspire young people in our fine area schools to consider careers in medicine, nursing, or even cancer research. Milford already produced one Nobel laureate with organ transplant pioneer Dr. Joseph Murray, and perhaps this facility with its exemplary caregivers will be the incubator for the next generation of health care heroes who can meet the challenges facing the medical and scientific workforce of the 21st century. On behalf of the people of the greater Milford area, I want to congratulate the trustees, administration and staff of Milford Regional Medical Center and the leadership of Dana Farber and Brigham and Women’s on this vitally important partnership. It represents another essential building block in making Massachusetts a truly caring Commonwealth. Milford Regional Medical Center has had many milestones in its history of providing access to quality health care to the residents of the Milford – Hopedale area through generous benefactors and a supportive community. However, I believe that today’s auspicious event breaking ground for this new state-of-the-art cancer facility and the equally important partnership with Dana Farber and Brigham and Women’s ranks with the day 103 years ago when Governor and Mrs. Eben S. Draper established Milford Hospital. That gift was a major advance for health care in this region in the last century, and the arrival of this new facility is an equally important advance for health care in our region for the 21st century! |
