Photo | WBJ file
Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA)
2 hours ago
Group of Mass. legislators head to Cuba for discussions around health care, humanitarian aid
Photo | Dudva, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The National Capitol of Cuba sits behind a Havana street in this photo from January.
By Michael P. Norton | State House News Service
Eleven House members including Speaker Ron Mariano plan to travel to Cuba on Friday and stay there for a week.
Rep. Marjorie Decker of Cambridge announced the plans Thursday afternoon and said she is leading a group that will meet with public officials, hospital staff, and members of academic and research institutes. They will also meet with Caritas Cuba (Catholic Charities) and other charitable organizations "to learn about and bear witness to the humanitarian needs of the Cuban people."
In addition to Mariano and Decker, the other lawmakers on the trip are Reps. Michael Moran, Frank Moran, Michael Day, Ken Gordon, John Lawn, Aaron Michlewitz, Jeff Roy and Jenny Armini.
According to Decker's office, trip costs will be covered by the individual lawmakers from their personal or campaign funds, and no third party is paying any expenses "related to this travel."
Congressman James McGovern, who briefed the representatives ahead of the trip, said in a statement released by Decker' office that he hopes the visit "can serve as an important step in improving relations between our two countries."
"This trip will allow state leaders to learn more about the Cuban healthcare system, climate resiliency strategies, and life science innovations," McGovern said. "It will also facilitate critical conversations about how to get much-needed humanitarian aid to the Cuban people. I am a strong believer in the power of diplomatic dialogue and engagement, and I've long believed it's time to rethink America's failed, cold-war approach to dealing with Cuba."
Said Decker: "Having participated in healthcare and life science exploration trips to Cuba before, I am hoping to learn more about Cuban interests in biomedical research on this trip, and to share the successes of Massachusetts’s continued investment in our healthcare and life science industries."
The trip comes as three major health care bills addressing hospital oversight, prescription drug pricing and access, and substance use disorder remain on the rocks with less than two months remaining in the two-year session.
A few hours before lawmakers announced their Cuba trip, Mariano suggested in an unrelated press availability he intends to take a bit of a break.
"I have no intent to do anything right now, except maybe take a few days off," he said in response to questions about altering or repealing the voter-approved law governing legislative audits.
The delegation plans to return on Nov. 22, according to Decker's office.
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