By Senator Richard T. Moore

Well, we’re about to make it to another year and we’re usually asked what our New Years’ Resolutions are for 2008. There are a few resolutions that we ought to keep if we want to celebrate the advent of new years into our future.

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By Ira Kantor
Milford Daily News

December 25, 2007 ... The 2007 legislative session may have officially ended but that hasn't stopped local lawmakers from looking ahead to next year.

Health care is a major priority for state Sen. Richard Moore, D-Uxbridge. Come January, Moore, chairman of the Joint Health Care Financing Committee, says he will work on Senate President Therese Murray's initiatives to improve health care quality and cost control, including expanding public access to both primary care providers and health information technology.

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By Hillary Chabot 
Lowell Sun

December 22, 2007 ... Massachusetts hasn't bought any anti-viral medication to use in the event of a global influenza pandemic, and a tight fiscal year means it may be shelved again this year. 

Sen. Richard Moore, D-Uxbridge, chairman of the Committee on Health Care Financing, reworked a bill initially filed by former Gov. Mitt Romney to put $36.5 million into bed, respirators and anti-viral medication. 

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By Aaron Wasserman
Milford Daily News 

December 21, 2007 ... Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, said yesterday more state assistance could come from energy and transportation bond bills that will be written early next year. They could help develop renewable energy sources at the site - which Tweed said he is interested in - and help extend Depot Street so it connects with Rte. 122.

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Moore, Fernandes welcome State Champion Hopedale Boys’ Cross Country team to State House

December 21, 2007 ... Senator Moore and Rep. Fernandes recently welcomed the Hopedale High School Boys’ Cross Country team to the State House for a luncheon in honor of their championship season.

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December 19, 2007 ... Establishing a formal policy for better coordination of health care in the Commonwealth is both welcome and long overdue. Secretary Bigby should be commended for gaining support across the relevant agencies for these goals and objectives. They are certainly consistent with the goals of a caring Commonwealth and with the legislative intent of Chapter 58. The real test, of course, is for these objectives to be fully and expeditiously implemented in the ongoing practices of the respective agencies, if real savings and improvements in health care quality and safety are to be achieved. The "devil," as they say, is always in the details!

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December 19, 2007 ... President Bill Clinton warmly greeted his old friend, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, during a recent visit to Boston. The meeting of the two friends took place during a fundraiser in support of the Sen. Hillary Clinton presidential campaign held at the Liberty Hotel in Boston. Sen. Moore has endorsed Sen. Clinton for President and is a member of her New England Steering Committee.

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By Senator Richard T. Moore

December 13, 2007 ... Last week, state leaders, business organization, health care advocates and others joined to celebrate the fact that by the end of this calendar year, some 300,000 Massachusetts residents who were uninsured a year ago now have health insurance. This is an accomplishment that no other state can claim, and it is a substantial improvement over the trend in health insurance on the national level.

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December 12, 2007...Yesterday, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, delivered testimony before the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on proposed regulations to require hospitals to publicly report their rates of hospital acquired infections. 

"Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) cost the Commonwealth hundreds of millions of dollars in unnecessary medical expenses and exact an immeasurable human toll. Yet the real tragedy is that these infections are largely preventable," Moore said. "These regulations are an important first step in reducing these unnecessary infections and improving the quality of health care in Massachusetts."

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December 12, 2007 ... The League of Women Voters has announced their 9th Annual Online Student Essay Contest, and Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, is encouraging those in grades 4-12, as well as Massachusetts residents who are 18-24 years old, to participate. This year’s theme is “Making Democracy Work: Vote 2008,” and challenges students and residents to address the upcoming presidential election. This is part of the League’s effort in 2008 to encourage young voters to think critically about the election and to be involved in the electoral process. 

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December 12, 2007 ... During a recent State House visit, Nancie Zecco of Webster, a professor at Cambridge College, met with Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, regarding the legislative process. The class, comprised of Directors of Nursing at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and Massachusetts General Hospital, learned about the legislative process and various nursing related legislation filed by Sen. Moore.

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December 11, 2007 ... As the Commonwealth continues the recovery efforts stemming from July’s Bernat Mill Complex fire, Lt. Governor Timothy Murray will join with Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, Rep. Paul Kujawski, D-Webster, and Rep. Jennifer Callahan, D-Sutton, to host an open meeting regarding the site’s potential redevelopment at the Town Hall on Thursday, December 20th at 2:30pm. 

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December 10, 2007 ... With home heating costs consistently escalating throughout the Commonwealth, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, has signed onto legislation filed by Sen. Michael Knapik, R-Westfield, to allow taxpayers to claim a home heating fuel deduction.

“Given the increasing cost of fuel, it is critical that we do what we can as a state to assist our low and moderate income constituents,” said Moore. “After all, the meaning of “commonwealth” is that we help those of our fellow citizens in need, and I can think of few more essential needs this winter than keeping warm.”

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December 7, 2007 ... Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, would like to invite area residents to view holiday decorations on display throughout the State House. The decorations, on display in the Senate Reading Room, Senate Lobby, and Senate President’s office, will be on display throughout the holiday season and are open to the public. 

“The State House is such a historic and beautiful building, especially during the holidays,” said Moore. “Should residents be in Boston during the holidays, this is a great opportunity to visit and tour the State House.”

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Senator announces more opportunities to avoid 2007 tax penalty

December 6, 2007 ... Senator Moore joined this week with Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray, Senate President Therese Murray, House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, and other health care reform leaders to celebrate continued growth in the number of people signing up for health insurance, announcing that more than 300,000 Massachusetts residents will have signed up for health insurance by January 1. They also announced that the state and its private insurance partners are extending enrollment opportunities to offer residents additional time to avoid 2007 tax penalties.

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By Jeffrey Krasner 
Boston Globe 

December 5, 2007 ... Massachusetts is in danger of losing its lead in implementing electronic medical records, and needs to quickly decide how to pay for the new systems and what role government should play, according to healthcare officials scheduled to attend a conference this morning on healthcare information technology.

The conference, hosted by the Massachusetts Health Policy Forum, will explore ways to apply lessons learned from the Massachusetts eHealth Collaborative, which in 2004 received $50 million from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts to install pilot computer systems in North Adams, Newburyport, and Brockton.

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December 4, 2007 ... Timothy P. Greene has been appointed to serve as Director of Constituent Services for Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge. Greene succeeds Shawn Collins of Webster who was recently promoted to the position of Director of Communications and External Relations in the Senator’s State House office. Moore’s long-time aide, Denise Chan of Hopedale recently left the office to pursue her doctorate in Hong Kong, where she will be living with her husband for the next few years. 

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By Senator Richard T. Moore

As the Legislature concludes its formal sessions for yet another calendar year, there is certainly a lot for which the people of the Worcester and Norfolk Senatorial District may be thankful. My colleagues and I in the Senate have been quite busy passing various beneficial pieces of legislation ranging from health care reform and identity theft protection to heating assistance for low income families and veterans. 

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