State Rep. Dyland Fernandes, D-Falmouth, is pushing for $225,000 in local aid, a portion of which will come to the Island, according to a press release from his office.
As part of a weeklong budgeting process, Fernandes says, his office was able to secure the funding for Health and Human Services negotiations. He was also responsible for shepherding an amendment totaling $50,000 to fund the Transportation Access Program (TAP), which offers residents of both Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket access to medical care and substance recovery programs.
“As Islanders, Vineyard and Nantucket residents face geographical barriers to healthcare which can burden families with additional costs to getting the care they need,” Fernandes said in the press release. “Financial insecurity should never prevent someone from accessing treatment, and this fund connects our most vulnerable residents with vital healthcare services.”
The budget still requires approval of the Senate and the signature of Gov. Charlie Baker.
