If politicians at the state and federal level have all of August off, why can’t I! rather than cover very little news in the August version of the rundown, I decided to take a break like everyone else in politics did, to re-group, recharge my batteries and watch my Mets season completely fall apart.
The Rundown is back under a new name “Did You See That?!?”, which I think is a better title my original choice which sounded like an 80s Sylvester Stallone action movie. This edition will be shorter than usual due to the lack of political news over the last month. But hey…. At least I’m here.
State Recap
Governor Healey Signs FY24 State Budget, Over a Month Late
Shockingly, August started off with some actual business being done. On August 10th, Governor Healey signed a $56 billion annual state budget for fiscal year 2024, marking her first annual budget signing since taking office in January. The signing of the annual budget comes over a full month into the fiscal year it covers, making Massachusetts one of the last states to pass a FY24 budget. This budget is the budget the second latest to land on a governor’s desk in 22 years. The budget will increase spending by 7% compared to FY23 budget, and for the first time, distribute at least $1 billion in revenue raised from a new tax on the state’s wealthiest residents.
The spending plan includes many policy provisions such as, making a pandemic-era program providing free school meals to all students permanent, supports in-state tuition and financial aid at public colleges and universities for undocumented immigrants, and offers assistance to help Bay Staters ages 25 and older attend community college for free. Due to substantial rate increases for home care services, unlike the FY23 budget, this budget does not include funding for the Enough Pay to Stay rate add-on.
Overall, Healey gave her approval to 103 of 112 outside policy sections, returned eight with amendments, and vetoed one authorizing the use of $205 million in one-time funding. She also reduced the budget’s bottom line by the same amount.
AG Campbell Confirms, these are Not Dumb Questions
Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office said this week that it had certified almost all of the 42 potential election ballot questions (proposing 38 laws that could be decided at the 2024 ballot and four constitutional amendments that could be decided in the 2026 election) that had been filed by the August deadline. Thirty-four proposals (in some cases representing multiple proposed versions of a potential question) were certified, seven were not certified and one was withdrawn by its sponsor, according to Campbell’s office.
Some key ballot questions revolve around rights and benefits for Uber drivers, rent control, voter identification and the auditor’s ability to audit the state Legislature. The latter being the most interesting in my opinion. Auditor Diane Dizoglio, who is a former state Rep and Senator, has been in a consistent battle with the state legislature to have them open up their books to show exactly how much every state legislator makes.
Dizoglio filed a ballot question that would establish a state law explicitly permitting the auditor’s office to audit the Legislature. Top Democrats have resisted, arguing she does not have the authority and that doing so would violate the “separation of powers” required by the Constitution. In late July, DiZoglio appealed to Campbell for the attorney general’s support in a move toward litigation.
How is the STATE AUDITOR overstepping their authority when they are auditing the state, which is literally her job. That is like saying a chef cannot make food for staff because their job is to make food for customers. It just makes no sense.
Look I understand the concept of separation of powers, but we have seen over the years corruption, and just common bad practices by legislators not only in Massachusetts has increased to Whitey Bulger setting levels. We need our legislators and government officials to be held to a higher standard, and the best way for that to happen is for everyone to see what they are doing/what they have done.
Also, I’m not a detective, but it’s suspicious how aggressively they are trying to keep their books closed. I mean this is the same state leadership that literally changed term limit rules to allow the Karen Spilka to keep her leadership position of Senate President, even though her term limit ran out. Also, it says a lot that a person who was both a state representative and a state senator is so keen on auditing their books, I only imagine, she knows exactly what’s in their books, that needs to be released to the public.
HCA Submits Comments to CMS Proposed CY2024 Home Health Payment Rule
In late August, HCA submitted comments to CMS’s proposed CY2024 Home Health Payment Rule. In June, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released their annual proposed rates for Medicare home health services, which would reduce net home health payments by an estimated $375 million, or -2.2%, in calendar year 2024, compared to 2023 rates. With home care providers already facing an unprecedented workforce shortage, leading many to turn away patients due to lack of staff, inflation, and exceedingly high gasoline prices, now is not the time to cut payment rates.
Look Ahead
As I have written before, this state legislature has been one of the least active legislatures in years, and they seem to be keen on keeping that reputation. The state legislature is taking a slow approach to coming back from the Cape and isn’t planning on bringing up any major legislation anytime soon. I will keep everyone posted, when big pieces of legislation come up.
Federal Recap
August is an aggressively slow month on Capitol Hill, as members of Congress and their staff head back to their state/districts for some “needed R&R”. I put needed R&R because I honestly think its ridiculous that in modern times members of Congress basically get a full month off of work like they are teachers. It made sense when they had to go back to plant/harvest crops and tend to their local businesses in the 1800’s. But in a time when you can get from DC to San Diego in less than 6 hours, I don’t see why they need a full month off from passing bills (which they rarely do). Its just infuriating the more and more you think about it. But I digress.
The only noteworthy news event in August that pertains to the federal government, is that the first Republican primary was held. But honestly for everyone’s sake, and mainly for my sanity/respect for other people/my job. I’m going to bite my tongue and not share my opinion on that matter.
Look Ahead
Heading to the Swamp
HCA will be heading to the D.C. swamp on September 20th with some member agencies to speak with members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation to educate them on the impact of the proposed rate cut and how they can help to stop CMS from implementing the proposed cuts. We will be asking these offices to sign onto The Preserving Access to Home Health Act of 2023, which would prevent CMS from implementing their cuts.
You can help our advocacy efforts by reaching out to your member of Congress urging them to sign onto the bill, by using this ACTION ALERT to write directly to them.
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