Amendment #20 to H4888

Ensuring Access to PPE for Eldercare and Healthcare Providers

Ms. Balser of Newton moves to amend the bill, as amended, by adding the following section:

Section XX.  Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services shall organize and establish an online Personal Protective Equipment Exchange for the purpose of identifying, aggregating and making available for purchase and procurement necessary personal protective equipment to be utilized by health care and elder care providers including, but not limited to, nursing facilities, acute care hospitals, resident care facilities, assisted living residences, adult day programs, physician practices, community health centers, ambulatory surgery centers, home health agencies and home care agencies within the Commonwealth. The Executive Office of Health and Human Services shall:

(A) identify and offer qualified wholesalers, manufacturers and suppliers the opportunity to participate on the Exchange;

(B) ensure that the personal protective equipment offered on the Exchange complies with all federal and state requirements and specifications; and

(C) establish and implement a process to receive, negotiate and finalize competitive pricing to be offered for the personal protective equipment placed on the Exchange.

All sales of the personal protective equipment from the Exchange shall be private transactions completed by and between the parties and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services shall have no responsibility to arrange for the processing of such transactions or the delivery of the personal protective equipment. In developing the Exchange. The Executive Office of Health and Human Services shall establish a stakeholder group which shall be comprised of representatives from the Massachusetts Senior Care Association, Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, Massachusetts Medical Society, SEIU 1199, manufacturers and suppliers and others the Executive Office of Health and Human Services deem necessary to organize and establish the Exchange. The Exchange shall be established within 30 days of enactment of this law.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #20 to H4888

Ensuring Access to PPE for Eldercare and Healthcare Providers