Harvard’s representative to the Massachusetts senate and a Harvard resident were the recipients of major awards from the state’s association of elder attorneys last week, cited for their work on behalf of elderly and disabled citizens in the state.
Senator Jamie Eldridge was named Legislator of the Year by the Massachusetts Chapter of National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (MassNAELA). Deborah Thomson of Poor Farm Road, who is retiring this year as MassNAELA’s lobbyist, received the inaugural Deborah H. Thomson Advocacy Award, “created and bestowed in recognition of her tireless efforts advocating elder issues in state government for the past 20 years,” according to a MassNaela press release. Thomson also received a Senate Citation from Senator Eldridge for her legislative work on Beacon Hill. Both awards were announced at MassNAELA’s annual meeting on Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Boston Marriot Newton.
“We selected Senator Eldridge as our Legislator of the Year because he has been a passionate supporter of MassNAELA’s legislative efforts,” said MassNAELA President Judith M. Flynn. “His tireless advocacy has helped to protect the rights of seniors and the disabled, and to increase awareness of legal issues affecting these populations.” The inaugural Deborah H. Thomson Advocacy Award was created and bestowed “in recognition of Deb’s passionate advocacy of elder issues in state government for the past 20 years,” said Flynn.
Eldridge was recognized in part for his support this year of a bill (S.517) that would preserve eligibility requirements and waivers for participants in the state’s Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), as well as for his work on housing and human services issues.
“It was a great honor to receive the Legislator of the Year Award from MassNAELA,” said Eldridge. “I was proud to be the sponsor of their PACE bill this session to help senior citizens lead more independent lives, and to be recognized for my work on housing and human services for the less fortunate. I was also very proud of Deb Thomson, a friend, constituent, and advocate who I’ve worked closely with on Beacon Hill, upon being honored for her many years of dedicated and steadfast advocacy for the elderly and the disabled.”
Senate bill 517 would enable individuals to remain eligible or qualify for the PACE and Home and Community Based (HCB) waiver even if their income is over the income limit through the payment of a deductible. The two programs are funded by MassHealth and Medicare, and provide a continuum of care including adult day health services and skilled nursing care.
Edited from press releases published by the Offices of Senator Jaime Eldridge and the Massachusetts Chapter of National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.
