The 351

Guiding Principles of MMA Membership Work: Connection and Empowerment

MMA Membership Director Jackie Lavender Bird has been a city councillor, mayoral chief of staff, and a former MMA legislative leader, which means she can share a 360-degree view of local government. In this episode, she shares what she’s hearing from municipal officials who are navigating today’s fiscal pressures and rapid technological change. Bird discusses the professional development, peer learning, webinars, and events that the MMA offers to help members navigate difficult conversations, strengthen public trust, and communicate effectively — and the resilience of local leaders working to keep communities moving forward despite mounting challenges. For Further Reading:  Bird Becomes MMA’s Membership Director: https://www.mma.org/as-pierce-retires-bird-becomes-mmas-membership-director/ [https://www.mma.org/as-pierce-retires-bird-becomes-mmas-membership-director/] MMA Events calendar: https://www.mma.org/event/ [https://www.mma.org/event/] MMA Webinars program: https://www.mma.org/webinars/ [https://www.mma.org/webinars/] MMA Members page: https://www.mma.org/members/ [https://www.mma.org/members/] To learn more about the MMA: www.mma.org

The Quest for More Affordable Health Care in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is home to some of the best health care in the world, but it’s also one of the most expensive places to get it. Sarah Iselin, President and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, unpacks what’s driving the surge in health care costs, and shares how insurers, providers, and policymakers are responding — and why none of the solutions come without trade-offs. The conversation digs into the real-world impact on municipal budgets, the limits of shifting costs to consumers, and the difficult choices leaders are facing between funding health care and investing in their communities. Iselin outlines where innovation is creating hope — from new care models and digital tools to prevention, primary care investment, and stronger collaboration across the system. For Further Reading:  Health care costs: Defining the challenge and finding solutions: https://www.mma.org/advocacy/health-care-costs-defining-the-challenge-and-finding-solutions/ [https://www.mma.org/advocacy/health-care-costs-defining-the-challenge-and-finding-solutions/] Multiple factors contribute to rising health care costs: https://www.mma.org/multiple-factors-contribute-to-rising-health-care-costs/ [https://www.mma.org/multiple-factors-contribute-to-rising-health-care-costs/] MMA forum explores health cost drivers, possible remedies: https://www.mma.org/mma-forum-explores-health-cost-drivers-possible-remedies/ [https://www.mma.org/mma-forum-explores-health-cost-drivers-possible-remedies/] Blue Cross CEO says she's taking cost controls seriously in negotiations with hospitals: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/24/business/blue-cross-health-care-costs/ [https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/24/business/blue-cross-health-care-costs/] The urgency of tackling health care affordability: https://commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/the-urgency-of-tackling-health-care-affordability/ [https://commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/the-urgency-of-tackling-health-care-affordability/] To learn more about the MMA: www.mma.org

Inside the Work the Inspector General Does for Massachusetts

While safeguarding the public trust and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse is an essential role in the Commonwealth, Inspector General Jeff Shapiro is also on a mission to build relationships across the state and become a more collaborative, forward-looking partner for state agencies and cities and towns. He explains his “listening tour” approach — he has visited 100-plus communities so far to understand their challenges firsthand. From procurement hurdles in small towns to the realities of managing limited staff and resources, Shapiro emphasizes that most public employees are deeply committed to doing the right thing — and that education, training, and prevention are vital tools to get there. For Further Reading:  More about the Inspector General: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/jeffrey-s-shapiro-inspector-general-of-massachusetts [https://www.mass.gov/info-details/jeffrey-s-shapiro-inspector-general-of-massachusetts] Inspector General releases first in series of advisories for municipal officials: https://www.mma.org/inspector-general-releases-first-in-series-of-advisories-for-municipal-officials/ [https://www.mma.org/inspector-general-releases-first-in-series-of-advisories-for-municipal-officials/] To learn more about the MMA: www.mma.org

Local Leaders Innovate to Provide Services

Each year, the MMA recognizes cities and towns that have developed unique and creative projects and programs to increase the effectiveness of local government. In this episode, we hear from this year’s winners: Amherst’s Movement and Mentoring program, the Andover at Work photography exhibit, and the North Attleborough/YMCA food pantry. For Further Reading:  More about the 2026 winners:  https://www.mma.org/amhersts-movement-and-mentoring-program-gives-students-an-early-morning-boost/ [https://www.mma.org/amhersts-movement-and-mentoring-program-gives-students-an-early-morning-boost/] https://www.mma.org/andover-at-work-exhibit-celebrates-municipal-work/ [https://www.mma.org/andover-at-work-exhibit-celebrates-municipal-work/] https://www.mma.org/north-attleborough-local-ymca-partner-to-address-food-insecurity/ [https://www.mma.org/north-attleborough-local-ymca-partner-to-address-food-insecurity/] To learn more about the MMA: www.mma.org

How Equity Affects Everyone in Massachusetts Communities

Jill Harvey is on a mission to help local leaders move beyond buzzwords and translate diversity, equity, and inclusion into real policies and actions. As the MMA’s first Chief Equity Officer, she shares the work she’s been doing across cities and towns in the state to help them realize how equity shows up in everyday decisions — from snow removal and trash collection to accessibility and community engagement. She shares how progress should be measured, what success looks like, and why she remains hopeful about the future of communities working to ensure that everyone has what they need to thrive. For Further Reading:  More about Jill and her DEI work: https://www.mma.org/jillian-harvey-to-become-the-mmas-1st-equity-officer [https://www.mma.org/jillian-harvey-to-become-the-mmas-1st-equity-officer/] https://www.mma.org/resource/demystifying-dei-legal-dei-practices-and-how-to-apply-them-to-your-community [https://www.mma.org/resource/demystifying-dei-legal-dei-practices-and-how-to-apply-them-to-your-community/]  (webinar) To learn more about the MMA: www.mma.org