Federal policies affect your daily life more than you may think. From how much healthcare you can access to what kind of reproductive care is available, national decisions often trickle down quickly. But what happens when those federal rules shift against your interests?

In less than 6 weeks, President Trump ended over $1.8 billion in National Institutes of Health grants. According to NBC News, between February 28 and April 8, the administration suspended nearly 700 aids across 24 NIH facilities and centers. These institutes studied subjects like aging, cancer, minor wellness, diabetes, psychological health, and developmental complications.

Now, Massachusetts faces the risk of losing $16 billion in federal funding. This could disrupt essential services like MassHealth, school meal programs, and special education. Governor Maura Healey has warned that Massachusetts’s $8 billion rainy-day fund cannot cover the shortfall, calling the potential damage “devastating” for working families.

Local leaders in Brookline are preparing for this very challenge. This article explains how Brookline’s leaders are responding and what this might mean for people countrywide.

Brookline’s Lawmakers Ready for Federal Pushback

Brookline’s state representatives are not waiting around. They have submitted more than 100 pieces of legislation before the January 17 deadline. This indicates their strong commitment to protecting your interests in the face of potential federal shifts.

Senator Cindy Creem, representing all of Brookline, is prioritizing your right to privacy, especially concerning healthcare and reproductive choices. She has already filed bill SD.501, aiming to stop companies from selling location data automatically collected by cell phones. This protection is vital for those seeking healthcare and other vulnerable populations.

Representative Greg Schwartz draws on his experience as a doctor. He is focusing on bills to improve healthcare quality and address the substance abuse infrastructure and primary care crisis. He also aims to secure more funding for public housing court defenders, showing a wide range of concerns for the community.

Representative Kevin Honan, a long-time leader on housing issues, is working on the cost-of-living crisis. He has filed bills related to housing, including tax relief for renters and increasing affordable housing options. Honan is also concerned about potential federal funding cuts to crucial social programs, like Medicare and SNAP, as well as to medical research.

You might question why this matters to you. The answer is simple: When federal policies roll back rights, state leaders become the first line of defense. Brookline’s efforts highlight how local action can keep healthcare accessible, protect personal data, and address crucial community needs, even in challenging political times.

The Overlooked Impact of Federal Cuts on Local Public Health Programs

One major concern among Brookline officials is the risk of losing federal funding for public health programs. In April, Brookline public health leaders laid out a local strategy to prepare for these funding cuts. They are preparing to maintain essential services, like vaccinations, mental health support, and emergency preparedness, even with fewer federal dollars. 

This is particularly critical because these programs are not just “extras.” They’re the foundation of community health. If funding disappears, towns must either cover the cost or let services crumble. As Brookline clinics adapt to shifting funding realities, there’s also a growing emphasis on making reproductive care more transparent and compassionate. 

For instance, in May 2024, Planned Parenthood centers across Massachusetts introduced pain relief options for IUD insertions. This move aims to ease patient anxieties and expand access. This push for more humane care comes when many women are reevaluating long-term contraceptives due to legal challenges like the Paragard lawsuit.

The suit highlights allegations of device-related injuries and inadequate risk disclosures. TorHoerman Law reveals that over 3,300 lawsuits are underway in a federal court. Additionally, over 7,000 severe device-related reports have been registered in the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System.

These developments underscore the need for state-level protections, especially when federal safeguards feel uncertain. These changes extend far beyond Brookline. Should federal funding cuts reach other states, similar resource reductions may occur in your town. 

This highlights the importance of local planning initiatives, such as the one underway in Brookline.

Building Local Support When Federal Funding Disappears

Brookline’s approach is not just reactive, it’s strategic. To future-proof community health, local leaders are building systems designed to withstand federal uncertainty, like the town’s new Community Health Improvement Plan. 

The plan targets four main areas, namely financial security, access to social and healthcare solutions, low-cost accommodation, and mental health support. Sigalle Reiss runs the town’s public health department. She explains that these federal cuts might not lead to immediate staff losses, but their ripple effects are still significant. 

However, the cuts could reduce state grants and hurt local nonprofit partners. Regardless, Reiss believes the department would still have to halt some of the state’s exciting public health work. The department may need to focus on basic services rather than new programs. 

To help maintain these services, the Friends of Brookline Public Health raised $3,812 last fall. This money supports school health services and the local food pantry. Community donations help fill gaps when federal funding disappears. Nicole Huberfeld teaches health law at Boston University, advising local officials on “cost-efficient” rather than “cost-saving” programs. 

Public health does not run on scraps; it needs real investment to do its job. That’s why smart, thoughtful spending matters more than simply slashing costs. To prioritize health equity, the town plans to hire diverse social workers who reflect and understand the cultures they serve. This approach helps historically underserved communities get better support.

People Also Ask

1. How can federal funding cuts impact essential local health services?

Federal funding reductions could significantly affect vital local health services. This may include reduced support for programs like vaccinations, mental health services, and emergency preparedness initiatives. Communities might face difficult choices about which services to maintain or cut back on.

2. What can towns and cities nationwide learn from Brookline’s approach to these potential cuts?

Other communities can learn the importance of early planning, engaging residents, and identifying local resources. Focusing on community needs and exploring diverse funding options, beyond just federal aid, can help build resilience in the face of uncertain federal policies.

3. Why is it important for towns to plan for federal policy shifts?

Federal policy shifts can quickly disrupt essential services like healthcare, education, and food security. Towns that plan early can protect residents from disruptions. Prepared communities are better equipped to maintain quality of life, especially for those who rely on public programs or safety nets.

Brookline shows that local action matters. Instead of waiting for federal shifts, leaders are stepping up to protect services and drive state policy forward. They are planning, protecting services, and pushing for stronger state laws. This approach does not just help one Massachusetts town. It sets an example for others. 

You do not have to live in Brookline to learn from it. If your town has not started planning for federal policy shifts, now is the time to ask why. Because when national protections weaken, the only safety net left may be the one your community builds.

The Brookline Department of Public Health and Human Services is celebrating the 30th Anniversary of National Public Health Week (NPHW) from Monday, April 7 to Friday, April 11, 2025.

This year’s theme, “It Starts Here,” aligns with the department’s completion of a two-year Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan, reinforcing the idea that building an equitable, inclusive and healthier community is a shared effort. The department invites community members to participate in events that highlight and celebrate public health.

Community members are welcome to join the celebration by participating in the following:

Monday, April 7: 

Public Health Carnival: Kick off National Public Health Week with a fun-filled Public Health Carnival hosted by the staff of Brookline DPHHS at Brookline High School, 22 Tappan St., from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Participate in a scavenger hunt, which could result in a free ice cream from Trombetta’s and entry into a raffle upon completion. Raffle prizes include a 16-visit pass to the pool or a round of golf for four players from the Recreation Department.

The afternoon will be filled with activities, including a bounce obstacle course, emergency preparedness resources, hands-only CPR training in less than 10 minutes, meet the Peer Leaders, yard games, face painting, food and more.

Tuesday, April 8

Exploring Our Backyard 2: Muddy River: Take a guided walk along the Muddy River at 12 p.m. with the Friends of Brookline Public Health. Led by local experts, the walk will highlight Brookline’s wildlife, local conservation efforts and the historic impact of Frederick Law Olmstead on the landscape.

Participating members should meet at the outdoor patio behind Punch Bowl, 700 Brookline Avenue. To register, please visit here.

Wednesday, April 9

Pilates by Healthworks: Round out APHA’s Keep It Moving Challenge with a Pilates session at 6 p.m., led by a Healthworks fitness instructor. Learn how to strengthen your core, improve flexibility and posture using this exercise technique. Attendees should bring a yoga mat or towel, a water bottle to stay hydrated and, if possible, a yoga block. The event will be held at Florida Ruffin-Ridley School Auditorium, 345 Harvard Street. Space is limited. Register here to attend.

High Stakes for Public Health in 2025. Brookline Responds: The Friends of Brookline Public Health invite the public to their Annual Meeting on Wednesday, April 9, at Brookline High School, 22 Tappan Street, from 6:30-8 p.m. The event will honor outstanding individuals and organizations:

• Chris Chanyasulkit, PhD, MPH, will receive the Alan Balsam Public Health Leadership Award;
• Healthworks Fitness and Down Under Yoga Studio will be awarded the Herb Carlin Community Health Award;
• Deborah Brown, JD, will receive the inaugural Public Health Equity Award. 

This will be followed by a timely and thought-provoking panel discussion on the future of public health and a presentation of Brookline’s Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) as a response to emerging challenges.

Panelists will include Nicole Huberfeld, JD, Edward R. Utley, Professor of Health Law, BU Schools of Law and Public Health and Sigalle Reiss, MPH, REHS/RS, Director of Brookline Public Health & Human Services, and John Kleschinsky, Assistant Director for Policy & Programming, Brookline Public Health & Human Services. The discussion will be moderated by Chris Chanyasulkit, PhD, MPH, Past President of APHA, with an opportunity for audience Q&A. Register here to attend.

Thursday, April 10

Free Screening of “Inside Out 2”: The department will offer a special free screening of “Inside Out 2” at Coolidge Corner Theatre, Moviehouse 6, 290 Harvard Street, at 6 p.m. The movie explores how emotions shape thoughts and actions, helping us better understand and express our feelings through the eyes of a child. In the sequel, Riley experiences these changes as she embarks on her journey into adolescence.

After the movie, learn movement and breathing techniques to help your child manage stress and anxiety. This short session will be led by Julie Tokarowski, LCSW, RYT-200 of the Brookline Police Department. Seating is limited. Reserve your seat here.

Friday, April 11

The Heart Beat Project: Learn hands-only CPR and basic lifesaving skills from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. with Public Health Nurse Kat Troisi-Bossi. This brief training exercise takes less than 10 minutes but will prepare you to respond in an emergency. Help Brookline work towards becoming a heart-safe community.

The Heart Beat Project will be tabling at the Brookline Village Library, 361 Washington Street. No registration is required.

For more information about NPHW events, please visit brooklinema.gov/NPHW or contact Darlene Johnson, Community Health Manager at djohnson@brooklinema.gov or 617-730-2301.

Questions or concerns about language access or reasonable accommodations should go to Sarah Kaplan at skaplan@brooklinema.gov or 617-730-2329 in the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Community Relations.

Director of Public Health Sigalle Reiss announces that the Brookline Department of Public Health & Human Services (DPHHS) has completed the two-year ARPA-funded Community Health Assessment (CHA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) process in the Town of Brookline.

This community-engaged initiative will now enter its implementation phase in collaboration with residents and local partner organizations. The CHA report describes the social, economic, and health-related issues that diverse Brookline residents face, how those issues are currently being addressed, and where there are gaps and opportunities to address these issues in the future.

The CHA report includes data from national, state, and local surveys, as well as interviews and focus groups with members of the Brookline community. The report is available on the Town’s website here and can be used by town agencies and organizations as a compilation of data regarding social and health factors experienced by the Brookline community.

The CHIP process utilized findings from the CHA to prioritize areas for improvement over the next five years. About 40 members of the Brookline community, representing diverse sectors and populations, collaborated to develop the CHIP, beginning with the identification of the following four priority areas for community health improvement:

1. Financial Security;
2. Access to Health and Social Services;
3. Housing Affordability;
4. Mental and Behavioral Health.

The goals, objectives, and strategies developed for each of the four priority areas will serve as a roadmap for improving the health and well-being of all Brookline residents.

Racial Equity is a core focus integrated across all priority areas of the CHIP with related strategies embedded to ensure equitable outcomes. This approach aims to address disparities comprehensively and promote equity across all initiatives. Key next steps include expanding food assistance, hiring a Human Services Navigator, supporting tenant legal aid, building a substance use coalition, enhancing parental mental health support, and increasing PACE program awareness.

This living document will guide our efforts to strengthen community resources and access to vital services. The current CHIP is available on the Town’s website here.

This CHA-CHIP is the result of considerable effort and collaboration among Brookline’s community-based organizations, governmental boards and commissions, Town departments, and residents – all guided by a Steering Committee. Support and guidance throughout the process were provided by consultants from the Boston-based, national non-profit public health organization, Health Resources in Action (HRiA). 

This extensive and community-engaged process was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) funds to respond to the public health and economic impacts of the CoViD-19 pandemic. While this process was led by the Brookline Department of Public Health & Human Services, its success – and the success of its implementation going forward – relies on the continued engagement of the Brookline community. Local organizations and community groups are urged to consider the ways they can participate in this journey, whether it be advocacy, volunteerism or collaboration.

“This is a community plan, and it will take the community to implement it,” said Director Reiss.

Groups can contact the DPHHS for more information. Only through a combined effort can the Town achieve a healthier Brookline for all.

Residents can learn more about the CHA-CHIP on the Health Department’s website here.