Amendment ID: S2708-23-R1

Redraft Amendment 23

Primary Care Access Relief

Messrs. Brady, Feeney, Payano, Moore and Keenan and Ms. Moran move that the proposed new text be amended in section 2A, in line 34, by inserting after the words “Transitional Escrow Fund……100%” the following:-

1599-1214 To address primary care access needs at Massachusetts community health centers; provided, that for the purpose of this section, community health center shall be defined as any entity receiving funding pursuant to 42 U.S.C. section 254(b); provided further, that not less than $75,000,000 shall be expended to community health centers to respond to primary care access needs; provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law or regulation to contrary, not later than April 15, 2024, the executive office for administration and finance shall transfer not less than $25,000,000, and may transfer up to $50,000,000 from the amount appropriated in this item to the Health Safety Net Trust Fund established in section 66 of chapter 118E of the General Laws; provided further, that such funds shall be distributed not later than May 31, 2024 by the executive office of health and human services as direct payments to each community health center as defined by this section; provided further, that said funds shall be allocated in direct proportion to the total allowable reimbursable health services amount processed through the Health Safety Net Trust Fund for each such health center during Health Safety Net fiscal year 2017, including any related settlements; provided further, that at least 10 calendar days prior to the expected payment date to each such health center, the executive office of health and human services shall provide a schedule listing the total allowable reimbursable health services amount processed through the Health Safety Net Trust Fund for each such health center in Health Safety Net fiscal year 2017 including any related settlements, each such health center’s percent of the aggregate total allowable reimbursable health services amount processed through the Health Safety Net Trust Fund for all such health centers combined in Health Safety Net fiscal year 2017 including any related settlements, and the proposed payment amount to each such health center; provided further, that funds shall be expended for community health centers receiving grants under 42 U.S.C. section 254(b) to respond to primary care access needs; provided further, that the executive office of health and human services, in consultation with the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, Inc., the State’s primary care association qualified under section 330A(f)(2) of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 254c(f)(2), shall develop a methodology for distributing said funds; provided further, that in developing said distribution methodology the executive office may consider factors, including, but not limited to: (i) Medicaid patient share; (ii) financial need; (iii) any other factors deemed necessary by the secretary of health and human services; provided further, that said supplemental payments shall be distributed not later than May 31, 2024 ; and provided further, that the executive office of health and human services shall seek to maximize federal reimbursement on expenditures from this item………………………………….$75,000,000

Transitional Escrow Fund……100%