Amendment ID: S2622-3

Amendment 3

Strengthening the workforce at Skilled Nursing Facilities

Mr. Tarr, Ms. Moran, Messrs. Moore, Pacheco, Eldridge, Keenan and Feeney, Ms. DiZoglio, Messrs. O'Connor and Fattman move that the proposed new text be amended by inserting in SECTION 2A after line item 1599-0767 the following new item:-

XXXX-XXXX. There is hereby established a reserve account for the purpose of increasing and supplementing the rates paid by the commonwealth, through its Medicaid and other payment mechanisms, to licensed skilled nursing facilities in Massachusetts; provided further, that the executive office of health and human services, in consultation with the Massachusetts Senior Care Association, Inc., shall develop and administer said account; provided that such facilities shall be properly licensed and meet all current regulatory requirements, provided, that any expenditures from said account shall be made in such a manner as to maximize federal reimbursement and federal financial participation and shall apply any funds received pursuant to this section for the purpose of increasing compensation to directly employed staff and contract staff employed as registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nurse aides, resident care aides, activities and recreation staff, dietary staff, housekeeping staff, laundry staff, social service workers, behavioral therapy staff, plant operations staff, maintenance staff, and restorative therapists in order to recruit, maintain, and otherwise ensure adequate staffing levels for the delivery of consistent, sustainable and  quality care to meet the demands caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds shall be expended for this purpose from this account for a period not to exceed 6 months following the passage of this act. Said reserve account shall be funded through general fund appropriations, gifts, grants, and the appropriation of funds made available to the commonwealth through the American Recovery Plan Act (Pub L. No. 117-2); provided further, that the executive office of health and human services, in consultation with the Massachusetts Senior Care Association, Inc. and 1199SEIU, shall establish a methodology for distributing funds; provided further that, prior to disbursement of any funds from this account, the executive office shall submit methodology criteria to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on elder affairs; and provided further, that funds shall prioritize facilities for which not less than 75 per cent of residents are enrolled in MassHealth; provided further the executive office of health and human services shall submit on a monthly basis a reporting of the expenditures under this act with the clerks of the house and senate………$200,000,000.