Dana Farber Cancer Institute Newsroom and Applications. November 4, 2024

Today, the Massachusetts State Legislature passed An Act Relative to Medically Necessary Breast Screenings and Exams for Equity and Early Detection. The bill now goes to the Governor for her signature. 

This legislation represents a significant policy change that will improve access to care and make cancer care more equitable. Under this bill, women will gain greater access to follow-up breast cancer screenings and exams. Insurers will be required to cover additional screening options for patients who have abnormal mammograms or have dense breast tissue, including for diagnostic exams, digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) screening, MRIs and ultrasounds.

… Representatives James Murphy, D-Weymouth, Ruth Balser (D-Newton), and Senators Michael Rush (D-Boston), and Joan Lovely (D-Salem), championed the legislation with the support of legislative leaders.

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Brittany Johnson, WCVB 5 ABC, March 15, 2024

A lawmaker is calling for change after a new report slams the treatment of inmates with mental illness inside Bridgewater State Hospital.

… State Rep. Ruth Balser, D-Newton, who is also a psychologist, said the most recent report is further evidence that control of Bridgewater State Hospital should be moved from state the Department of Correction to the state Department of Mental Health.

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by Sam Mintz, February 19, 2024

Ruth Balser, who represents parts of Brookline and Newton in the state legislature, will retire from her position at the end of this year.

Balser, 75, has been the state representative for the 12th Middlesex District for 25 years, representing southern Newton and at times parts of Brookline. Most recently, because of redistricting in 2022, Balser has represented a large part of South Brookline, including precincts 5, 13A, 14, and 15.

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BY MARTINA JACKSON ON FEBRUARY 13, 2024

Following her announcement that she will retire from the state legislature at the end of this year, Rep. Ruth Balser spoke with Fig City News about her career. A member of House Speaker Ron Mariano’s leadership team, Rep. Balser is the first psychologist elected to the Massachusetts Legislature and has used her training and experience to promote important mental health initiatives. 

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The revolving door of court-treatment-prison has to stop.

By The Editorial Board Updated December 3, 2023, 4:00 a.m.

Someone commits a petty crime — theft, say — to feed an addiction and is put on probation. The judge orders them into treatment and says not to take drugs or drink alcohol.

But kicking a drug habit isn’t something that people with substance use disorder just do. It’s a medical intervention. Success isn’t guaranteed. Relapses happen.

The question for the state should be, is it really appropriate to imprison probationers if they experience a relapse but are otherwise obeying the terms of their probation and staying out of trouble? At the least, judges and the probation system need to embrace a flexible approach that recognizes the difference between a relapse that doesn’t truly endanger others — and one that does.

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Mass Lawyers Weekly Staff // October 27, 2023

The Equal Justice Coalition held a special event at the State House on Oct. 19 to recognize seven lawmakers who have been “Beacons of Justice” on the Hill.

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MATTHEW MEDSGER | mmedsger@bostonherald.com | Boston Herald- October 3, 2023

Bridgewater State Hospital is more like a prison than a mental health hospital, lawmakers are being told

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Written by Sam Drysdale/SHNS– Oct. 11, 2023

Massachusetts public officials and interest groups have come out in a massive show of support for Israel after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war on Hamas following a surprise attack last weekend.

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After a legal setback in 2022, library advocates say they are working closely with advocates on new bills in several states.

By Andrew Albanese and Jim Milliot | Publishers Weekly | Feb 23, 2023

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BY MARTINA JACKSON, FIG CITY NEWS on FEBRUARY 7, 2023

So says State Rep. Ruth B. Balser, explaining a bill she has filed — HD2465 An Act Ensuring Access to Addiction Services.

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