In the News: MA has first case of measles this year; Nursing homes closure threatens health care

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

MA has first case of measles this year

"John F. Enders is likely turning in his grave. 

Massachusetts in April reported this year’s first case of the measles, for which Enders created a vaccination more than 50 years ago. The deadly virus is making a comeback across the United States. 

“There is heightened concern,” said Dr. Lawrence Madoff, director of the Epidemiology and Immunization Division at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. “The United States is seeing hundreds of cases this year – way above normal levels.” 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in March said 387 measles cases were reported in 15 states, already exceeding the total from 2018. Massachusetts joined the list on April 1 when state officials reported the first case of 2019, and warned residents of potential exposure in multiple locations, including Braintree, Framingham, Hyannis, Plymouth and Waltham."

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https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190403/heightened-concern-about-measles-in-massachusetts

# of measles cases reported by year (CDC)

Nursing homes closure threatens health care

"Almost three dozen nursing homes across Massachusetts are at risk of closing this year, threatening the ability of senior citizens to access needed care, an industry group warned. 

In recent months, 20 facilities have shuttered, and another 35 could do so by the end of the year if lawmakers do not act to close a $360 million annual funding gap, according to the Massachusetts Senior Care Association. 

MassHealth allocated an additional $25 million last fall to stabilize nursing homes, but the MSCA called for additional investment ahead of a Joint Committee on Elder Affairs hearing scheduled for Monday. 

“It is crucial that we continue this important progress and address the growing nursing facility workforce and funding crisis, which impacts all nursing facilities — not-for-profit, for profit and family owned,” MSCA President Tara Gregorio said in a statement. “However, significantly more is needed in order to prevent many regions of the state from losing core facilities.”

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https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190404/industry-says-35-nursing-homes-at-risk-of-closure-in-massachusetts