The Massachusetts House Committee on Ways & Means released their version of the state budget earlier today and this will set the stage for the full House of Representatives to debate the bill in the next couple of weeks.
All MassHealth items remained level from the Governor’s proposed budget, which was released in January. That includes the following items:
- MassHealth Senior Care at $2,495,602,264
- MassHealth Fee-for-Service Payments: $2,026,206,633
- MassHealth Managed Care: $3,872,835,669
The proposed $55 million cut to Adult Day Health Services was not repaired in this version, although there is general support in the legislature for overturning it and at least one Representative has committed to filing an amendment that would freeze rates and service levels while also imposing a moratorium on new programs and program expansions. A group of advocates led by the Massachusetts Adult Day Services Association, and including the Home Care Alliance, are working on the issue.
Under the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, the Home Care Purchased Services line item received a $1 million boost while all other items remained level.
The Home Care Alliance will be working with state representatives to file amendments on issues important to home health agencies and will provide updates including how agencies, patients, and families can help gain support for the Alliance’s budget proposals.
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