Background
In April 1981, with initial funding from the National Council of Senior Citizens, 27 people from five cities came together to launch the Massachusetts Senior Action Council, Inc. and helped to set the standard for successful low-income, multiracial grassroots organizations of senior citizens. Less than two years later, thousands of seniors in the greater Boston area had participated in public meetings, rallies, and government hearings. MSAC’s initial victories included the return of local bus routes, the establishment of medical and shopping transportation services, the creation of special taxi fare discounts, the institution of the 10-cent MBTA fare for elderly and handicapped riders, and the improvement of maintenance at local subsidized housing complexes. Local officials were overwhelmed by the emergence of well-organized, articulate groups of retirees who were focusing on pressing local issues.
29 years later, Massachusetts Senior Action Council (MSAC) is a thriving membership organization which joins together low- and moderate-income seniors and people with disabilities from throughout Massachusetts, along with people of all ages who support our mission. Our mission statement: As a democratic grassroots senior-run organization, Mass Senior Action is committed to empowering seniors and others to act collectively to promote the rights and well being of all people, particularly vulnerable seniors.
MSAC is a statewide, democratically-run membership organization open to people of all ages. We have over 1,000 members, 30 affiliated groups, and seven active chapters located in Boston, Bristol County, Cambridge, Central Massachusetts, Greater Springfield, Metro North and North Shore communities.
Mass Senior Action has a proud history of effective community organizing and legislative advocacy on health care, housing, transportation, and other issues. We are known for turning out large numbers of members to public rallies, hearings, and press events. We work closely with organized labor, community-based organizations, churches, and progressive coalitions committed to social and economic justice for all. We are respected as one of the most dynamic, effective grassroots senior organizing groups in the country.
Grassroots leadership development lies at the heart of Mass Senior Action's success. Our focus is not only to win on issues, but to help people learn organizing skills, develop new relationships, and build community. Most of Mass Senior Action's members have low incomes. We are racially and ethnically diverse. We work in coalition for people with disabilities, children, and working families. We are fighting for future generations, not just for ourselves.
Mass Senior Action is more than a seniors' organization. It is an effective, grassroots activist group, fighting for social justice, that happens to be led by seniors. The political, social and economic landscape for seniors and their families would look very different without the tireless work of Mass Senior Action members over the past 28 years. Some of our most important achievements include:
Passage of the Medicare "Balanced Billing" law. The statute, which withstood a U.S. Supreme Court challenge and served as a model for other states, has saved Massachusetts seniors hundreds of millions of dollars since 1986. Because of this bill, seniors and people with disabilities in Massachusetts may not be charged more than the Medicare-approved fee by their doctors.
Hospital discharge reform. In the late 1980’s, Mass Senior Action led a successful coalition campaign that won model legislation requiring 24-hour notice and viable home care plans in place before patients could be sent home from hospitals.
Passage of the Senior Security Ordinance. A city-wide public safety ordinance governing all public and privately subsidized housing for seniors and people with disabilities in Boston.
Prescription Advantage. Winning passage of the nation's only state-subsidized prescription drug insurance program. Mass Senior Action's advocacy insured that the program was affordable for low income seniors and people with disabilities.
Our chapters have also fought and won on many issues that are important within a local community - for example, getting a new Senior Center built in Malden, or keeping security guards intact in Boston Housing Authority senior housing. Whether an issue is statewide or local, Mass Senior Action members understand that you don't just take it, you take charge.
