Budget Amendment ID: FY2023-S4-536-R1

Redraft EHS 536

Permissible Use Standards for Hospitals

Messrs. Feeney, Eldridge and Cronin, Ms. DiZoglio, Ms. Jehlen, Ms. Gobi, Mr. Hinds, Ms. Lovely, Messrs. Pacheco, Moore and Timilty, Ms. Rausch and Mr. Montigny moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section 72 the following section:-

“SECTION 72A. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the secretary of health and human services, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall conduct a study on the retention of high-quality direct care staff in health care settings and issue a report on best practices, including recommendations on measures needed to ensure sufficient high-quality direct care staff in the commonwealth.  The study shall include, but not be limited to: (i) an examination of current compensation of direct care staff, by job category, including wages and other forms of benefits, and the need, ability and any barriers to increase such compensation; and (ii) recommendations for permissible use standards or other related statutory and regulatory reforms as the secretary deems are warranted.

The secretary shall submit a report on the findings of its study to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the joint committee on health care financing and the house and senate committees on ways and means not later than March 15, 2023.”.