By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 493) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to strengthen the long-term care workforce and capital trust fund. Elder Affairs.
This bill adjusts how Massachusetts Medicaid pays nursing homes to stabilize funding. It requires annual inflation adjustments using the Medicare Market Basket Update, sets base costs to the most recent two-year period, and mandates a 10% above-average Nursing Cost Per Diem. Facilities serving 75%+ Medicaid residents receive a minimum 5% rate increase. Additionally, it preserves capital funding rates for facility upgrades completed after 2020. These changes directly affect nursing homes receiving Medicaid payments, aiming to better cover rising labor and care costs.
This bill requires nursing homes and rest homes to create and submit plans ensuring residents are treated with dignity, including staff training and policies based on dignity. It mandates single-occupancy rooms for all residents by July 2027 (with possible extensions), prohibits forcing residents to share rooms (except for married couples, family members, or medical needs), and bans rooms housing three or more residents. Facilities must also offer in-room dining without extra fees. Non-compliance results in $1,000 daily fines per deficient room.
HD 3406 aims to improve access to post-acute care services for MassHealth patients in Massachusetts by streamlining administrative processes and expanding community resources. The bill requires the Office of Medicaid to revise beneficiary notices, adopt transparent appeal procedures, and develop community discharge pathways for patients with chronic, medically complex conditions. It also establishes a complex care ombudsman program to assist hospitals with discharges and a pilot program to increase skilled nursing facility capacity for dementia, psychiatric, and geriatric patients. These changes target delays in transferring medically ready patients from hospitals to community-based care, freeing up acute care beds and improving care coordination.
By Ms. Lovely, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 479) of Joan B. Lovely and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to improve transparency and accountability for residents of long-term care. Elder Affairs.
By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 470) of Patricia D. Jehlen, Michael O. Moore, Paul K. Frost, John F. Keenan and other members of the General Court for legislation to improve Massachusetts home care. Elder Affairs.
HD 650 clarifies how Massachusetts sets payment rates for home health agencies and homemaker/personal care services. It requires the executive office to establish and review these rates at least every two years, using costs from up to four years prior (adjusted for reasonableness and new costs), and including administrative expenses and a reasonable profit factor. The bill mandates that rate-setting consider specific cost factors like minimum wage changes, payroll taxes, health insurance, and employee benefits, using national or regional cost indices. Additionally, it requires detailed reports to legislative committees comparing adopted rates to the federal "Home Health Agency Market Basket" index, with simulations if that index isn't used. The bill directly affects home health providers and homemaker service agencies by changing how their reimbursement rates are calculated and justified.
By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 472) of Patricia D. Jehlen and James B. Eldridge for legislation relative to Massachusetts home care eligibility. Elder Affairs.
By Representative Madaro of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 781) of Adrian C. Madaro, Natalie M. Higgins and Christine P. Barber relative to establishing community based programs for older adults. Elder Affairs.
By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2085) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to improve long-term care staffing and dignity for caregivers through training, tuition reimbursements, tax credits and other programs. Revenue.
