Governor Awards $1.8 Million to Improve Access to Reproductive Health Care

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BOSTON — The Department of Public Health (DPH) announced $1.8 million in state funding awarded to a group of community-based organizations and clinical providers under the Reproductive Health Access, Infrastructure, and Security Grants program.
 
The funding provides financial assistance to individuals seeking abortion care, while also improving the ability of abortion service providers to deliver high-quality care by supporting infrastructure and security upgrades.
 
This allocation marks the second round of awards under DPH's Reproductive Health Access, Infrastructure, and Security Grants program. The funding began in December 2024 and will continue through Dec. 31, 2026.
 
"It is essential for women's health and economic well-being to have access to high-quality reproductive health care services," said Governor Maura Healey. "These grants will help ensure that cost is not a barrier for anyone to seek the care they need, while also supporting our hardworking service providers in making critical infrastructure and security upgrades that allow them to deliver safe, high-quality care. Massachusetts is proud to be a national leader in preserving and expanding access to reproductive health care, and we're going to continue to make sure that patients and providers have the resources they need.""
 
According to a press release, the increased demand for abortion services in Massachusetts since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 underscores the importance of supporting abortion providers in the state. This funding will enable Massachusetts residents, as well as those traveling to Massachusetts for abortion care, to receive safe, high-quality care in clinics with appropriate security and infrastructure. The grants also support all of Massachusetts' abortion funds, which provide small grants to individuals who need financial support to access abortion care.
 
Additionally, recipients will also upgrade facilities and equipment, increase physical and digital security, provide grants to patients to help them afford abortion care, and implement projects to maximize access to abortion services, such as improving inter-organizational referrals and continuity of care.
 
In awarding the grants, priority was given to organizations that demonstrated the capacity to reach people seeking abortion care, a commitment and plan for promoting racial justice and health equity, and the ability to work collaboratively with other community-based agencies to maximize access to sexual and reproductive health services, including abortion care.
 
New Reproductive Health Access, Infrastructure, and Security Grants Recipients:
  • Abortion Rights Fund of Western Massachusetts
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
  • Eastern Massachusetts Abortion Fund
  • Four Women Health Services
Existing Reproductive Health Access, Infrastructure, and Security Grants Recipients:
  • Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center
  • Boston Medical Center
  • Cambridge Health Alliance
  • Health Imperatives
  • HealthQ
  • Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts
  • Tapestry Health
  • Tides for Reproductive Freedom
  • Women's Health Services
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Berkshire Museum Explores Ancient Egypt With ‘Soulful Creatures’

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Following its multimillion-dollar renovation, the Berkshire Museum is welcoming an exhibition unlike any it has been able to host before.
 
Marking the museum's first major exhibition since its renovation, "Soulful Creatures: Animal Mummies in Ancient Egypt," opening Saturday, Oct. 10, thins the veil between the ever-evolving history of Egyptian culture and society and modern day people. 
 
"The most important thing about history is recognizing people from the past as actual people. Ancient Egyptians are no different than us," said William Dore, the museum's chief curator. "They have different cultures and beliefs and different viewpoints, but you can say the same thing about people today."
 
When audiences experience the exhibit, they will see the humanity in the people of the past, which in turn helps them connect with different views and perspectives around the world today, he said. 
 
Combining archeology with modern scientific imaging, Brooklyn (N.Y.) Museum curators Yekaterina Barbash and Edward Bleiberg designed an exhibit that works to uncover the mysteries behind these objects and the beliefs and rituals that surround them. 
 
"I think something that people kind of misunderstand about history is none of it's ever settled. ... History is a science that is constantly questioned,” Dore said. "It only works if everyone's constantly rethinking things, learning new things ... which is for me super exciting because as much as we know a lot about the ancient Egyptians, there's a lot we don't know.”
 
The installation features dozens of artifacts on loan from the Brooklyn Museum that explores the practice of animal mummification and the role animals played in ancient Egyptian religion. 
 
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