Strengthening our Policy Work

May 13, 2022
Andrea Freeman

Join us in welcoming Andrea Freeman!


Since our beginning years in the mid-1990s, our organization has worked on policy as a way to advance, scale, and sustain our community health work in partnership with local and statewide collaborations. In more recent years, we have built different ways to inform action on policy through our regional assessments, community health reports, and community data platforms. 


We are thrilled to announce that we have now invested in a Director of Data to Policy Action position to help take health equity policy action to a new level for our western MA region. Andrea is a seasoned leader, a passionate advocate, strategic thinker, and can bring a smile or laugh to heavy policy discussions! We are so lucky to have her with us working on behalf of our region.

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Recording posted! Internet Casino Gambling Webinar

January 12, 2026
Online sports betting became legal in Massachusetts in 2022, and now the Legislature is considering a bill (H4431) to legalize internet casino gambling—also known as “iGambling” or “iGaming.” What would more options for 24/7 gambling mean to the public health of our communities? Watch the recording from the 1/9/26 webinar. Speakers included Mark Gottlieb of Northeastern Law’s Public Health Advocacy Institute, Samantha Hamilton of Public Health Institute of Western MA, Victor Ortiz from the MA Dept. of Public Health Office of Problem Gambling, and State Representative Lindsay Sabadosa. The discussion was moderated by Jessica Collins of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. Webinar Materials recording slides Video shared by Mark Gottlieb- Online Casino Gambling Ad Take Action This month, PLEASE email the MA Legislature’s Committee on Economic Development & Emerging Technologies and ask them to SUPPORT Sen. Keenan’s bill (S.302) to add regulations on sports-betting, AND, OPPOSE H.4431, a bill that would legalize online casino gambling. Instructions & Email Template Links Shared during webinar Read speaker bios Understanding Youth Gambling Behavior in Springfield: Findings from the Springfield Youth Health Survey PHIWM Written Testimony An Act relative to internet gaming An Act addressing economic, health and social harms caused by sports betting The MA Problem Gambling Helpline , 800-327-5050
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Action Alert: Help Add Restrictions to Sports Gambling & Prevent New "Online Casino Gambling'

January 9, 2026
This month, PLEASE email the MA Legislature’s Committee on Economic Development & Emerging Technologies and ask them to: A. SUPPORT Sen. Keenan’s bill (S.302) to add regulations on sports-betting AND B. OPPOSE H.4431, a bill that would legalize online casino gambling. Step 1. Write and send an email on your own time, from your personal email , unless you are representing your employer, with their approval. This action is lobbying.* Step 2. Use any (or all) of this template to write your email; be sure to tailor the highlighted blanks with your own words.

Webinar Jan 9 about online casino gambling

December 11, 2025
Online sports betting became legal in Massachusetts in 2023, and now the Legislature is considering a bill (H4431) to legalize internet casino gambling—also known as “iGambling” or “iGaming.” What would more options for 24/7 gambling mean to the public health of our communities? Speakers include Mark Gottlieb of Northeastern Law’s Public Health Advocacy Institute, Samantha Hamilton of Public Health Institute of Western MA, Victor Ortiz from the MA Dept. of Public Health Office of Problem Gambling, and State Representative Lindsay Sabadosa. The discussion will be moderated by Jessica Collins of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, and attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions during a live Q&A.