BOSTON – As Governor Baker prepares to attend the Inauguration on Friday, thousands of Massachusetts residents want him to tell President-Elect Donald Trump to keep his hands off the Affordable Care Act, funding for Planned Parenthood, and Social Security and Medicare. A survey launched by the Massachusetts Democratic Party last week found healthcare issues topping the minds of Massachusetts residents, who urged the Governor to speak up against the reckless Republican agenda that would hurt Massachusetts.

“Governor Baker has a critical opportunity to end his wait-and-see approach when he attends the Inauguration on Friday,” said Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Gus Bickford. “Will he listen to his constituents and defend the millions of Massachusetts residents who depend on the Affordable Care Act, Planned Parenthood, or Medicare for their healthcare needs? Or will he pander to the President-elect and continue to play along with the Republican repeal-and-replace plan? On Friday, Baker needs to send Trump’s team the clear and public message that Massachusetts opposes any attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, block federal funding for Planned Parenthood, or cut benefits for Social Security and Medicare beneficiaries.”

The survey, which was taken by nearly 3,000 individuals over the past week, found that Massachusetts residents were most concerned about the appointments of Steve Bannon as Chief Strategist and Senior Adviser, Jeff Sessions as Attorney General, and Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education.

“As congressional hearings on Trump’s appointments continue, Baker still hasn’t said a word about the most conservative, unqualified Cabinet in modern history,“ said Bickford. “This is the Governor’s last chance to speak up before these incredibly dangerous appointees take office. This week will show whether the Governor has the courage to do the right thing and oppose Trump’s most egregious appointments.”

More than 16,000 Massachusetts residents have already signed the Massachusetts Democratic Party’s petition calling on Governor Charlie Baker to take a stand against President-Elect Donald Trump’s choice of Steve Bannon, a prolific white supremacist and anti-Semite, as Chief Strategist and Senior Counsel. On Sunday, more than 6,000 Massachusetts residents rallied at Faneuil Hall to defend the Affordable Care Act, and more than 25,000 plan to participate in the Boston Women’s March For America this weekend.