Congressman Neal and Mayor LaChapelle Visit Riverside

Back in mid-February, we asked you – members of our community – to join us in advocating for Riverside’s programs. Thank You for answering our call!

The timing of our request could not have been more perfect. With Congress at a recess and legislators in their districts, we saw the perfect opportunity for them to hear directly from their constituents. Moreover, the timing of this advocacy was especially relevant as the threat of proposed cuts to Riverside’s federally funded programs remains a risk.

On February 21, President and CEO Lynn Ireland delivered 147 letters from you - Riverside participants, staff, parents, guardians and caregivers - to Congressman Richard Neal's office in Springfield. Because of your advocacy, Congressman Neal visited Riverside on March 18 to meet some of the individuals in-person who wrote to him. Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle joined the Congressman on his visit to meet with staff and clients and hear their concerns directly.

Reporters from local and regional news outlets were also on site to cover the legislative visit. It is our hope this visibility will further increase awareness in our community about the real and local impact the proposed cuts to federally funded programs like Medicaid could have on people in our own community. During the visit, Congressman Neal expressed his support for Riverside and the people who rely on our programs.

"Medicaid, or what we in Massachusetts call MassHealth, plays a critical role in providing affordable health care coverage for those at the lower end of the economic spectrum. The notion that we are going to cut a program that provides health care to tens of millions of Americans, including women, children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities, while simultaneously pursuing a tax cut for the wealthy is reprehensible," said Congressman Neal. "I received more than one hundred letters from individuals who rely on the services provided by Riverside. I came here today to tell them that we will continue fighting for them and against any attempts to cut the critical lifeline of care and coverage that Medicaid provides." – Congressman Neal

We asked for your support, and you responded. Thank you for believing in Riverside and for advocating for our programs and those who rely on them. Please visit the Get Involved page on our website for more information about being an advocate, a donor, or volunteer at Riverside.