Established in 2016, the 17-member Commission is responsible for studying the effects of malnutrition on older adults and determining the most effective strategies for reducing it. As part of its directive, the Commission works to develop policies promoting proven, effective malnutrition prevention interventions, including community nutrition programs, medical nutrition therapy and oral nutrition supplements.
“Hannah has done a tremendous amount of work over the years to address the many challenges posed by hunger and food insecurity,” said Representative Jones. “Her dedication to finding solutions to these problems will be a real asset to the commission as it works to identify ways to protect older residents from the negative health impacts associated with malnutrition.”
Members of the Commission include representatives from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Transitional Assistance, the Department of Agricultural Resources, the Massachusetts Dietetic Association, and the Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging, Inc., as well as individuals working within the health care and home care industries. The Commission is required to file an annual report with its findings and recommendations by December 31.
Representative Kane is a Co-Founder and a Co-Chair of the first in the nation Food System Caucus (FSC), which is the second largest caucus in the Massachusetts Legislature. She also serves as the House Minority Leader’s designee on the Massachusetts Food Policy Council and is a member of Governor Baker’s Food Security Task Force, which was created in response to the challenges COVID-19 has created for the state’s food production and distribution system
In 2016, Representative Kane was presented with the Worcester County Food Bank (WCFB) Harvester Award in recognition of her partnership with the WCFB to help feed hungry people today, while working to create hunger-free communities of tomorrow. In March of 2019, Hannah was recognized by the Worcester County Bar Association as a Public Official of the Year for her bi-partisan work on the Healthy Incentives Program, which helps SNAP clients maintain a more nutritious diet with access to fresh fruits and vegetables locally grown. Her annual charity golf tournament, which is now in its seventh year, has raised over $327,000 for non-profit organizations in her district, including St. Anne’s Human Services/Food Pantry and the Westborough Food Pantry.
“A driver in much of my work in food policy and public health policy is a strong belief that good nutrition is one of the best forms of preventative healthcare we can promote. Malnutrition is a serious issue affecting many older adults in our state,” remarked Representative Kane. “I am grateful to the Minority Leader for appointing me to this Commission so I can use the knowledge I have acquired in my work thus far to continue to advance a healthier Commonwealth for all.”
Representative Kane is currently the Ranking Minority Member of both the Joint Committee on Public Health and the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. She also serves as a member of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, as well as the newly-formed Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights and Inclusion.
Representative Kane represents the Eleventh Worcester District, which is comprised of the town of Shrewsbury and precincts 4 and 5 in Westborough. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2015.
