Budget Amendment ID: FY2017-S4-429-R2

2nd Redraft EHS 429

Nursing Home Quality Jobs Initiative

Messrs. Wolf, Eldridge and Moore, Ms. Chandler, Ms. Lovely, Messrs. Lewis, Humason, Downing, Rush, Donnelly, Timilty and McGee, Ms. Donoghue, Messrs. Brownsberger, Boncore, Rodrigues and O'Connor, Ms. Gobi, Messrs. Brady and Fattman, Ms. Flanagan, Ms. O'Connor Ives, Ms. Creem, Mr. Tarr, Ms. Forry, Messrs. Montigny and Pacheco and Ms. L'Italien moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 4000-0640, by striking out the words "may, at the secretary's discretion," and inserting in place thereof the following word:- "shall"; and in said item by adding at the end thereof the following: "provided further, that not less than $20,500,000 shall be expended to fund a rate-add on for wages, benefits, and related employee costs of direct care staff of nursing homes, including certified nurse aides, housekeeping, laundry and dietary staff; provided further, MassHealth shall adopt all additional regulations and procedures to carry out this section; provided further, that no later than January 30, 2017, MassHealth shall report to the house and senate ways and means committees an analysis of the impact on the wages for direct care workers at the nursing homes receiving said funds;"