Budget Amendment ID: FY2019-S4-456-R2

2nd Redraft EHS 456

Nursing Home Direct Care Workers

Messrs. Montigny, Eldridge and Moore, Ms. L'Italien, Mr. Tarr, Ms. Gobi, Messrs. O'Connor and DiDomenico moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 4000-0641, by striking the third through sixth sentences and inserting in place thereof the following eight sentences:-

“provided further, that not less than $38,300,000 shall be expended for a rate add-on for wages, shift differentials, bonuses, benefits and related employee costs paid to direct care staff of nursing homes; provided further, that MassHealth regulations for this rate add-on shall prioritize spending on hourly wage increases, shift differentials, or bonuses paid to certified nurse aides and housekeeping, laundry, dietary and activities staff; provided further, that said regulations shall ensure that any facility providing hourly wage increases, shift differentials, or bonuses to registered nurses and licensed practical nurses shall also provide a proportional benefit to certified nurse aides and housekeeping, laundry, dietary and activities staff; provided further, that MassHealth shall adopt all regulations and procedures to carry out this item; provided further, that MassHealth shall provide to the house and senate committee on ways and means an interim report not later than June 15, 2019 and a final report not later than December 31, 2019 on the impact of wages for direct care workers at the nursing home receiving said funds; provided further, that MassHealth shall recoup the entire amount of any unspent or impermissibly spent direct care add-on funds from a facility by December 31, 2019, plus a penalty of 25% of said unspent or impermissibly spent amount; provided further, that funds shall not be expended for a facility that failed to report fiscal year 2017 direct care add-on data to MassHealth by January 30, 2018; provided further, that funds shall not be expended for a facility that failed to report fiscal year 2018 direct care add-on data to MassHealth by July 31, 2018 ”; and

in said section 2, in said item 4000-0641, by striking out the figure “$352,600,000” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- “$355,400,000”.