Amendment ID: S2889-36-R1

Redraft Amendment 36

Public Guardianship Study

Ms. Lovely and Messrs. Moore, Payano and Montigny move that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section 22 the following section:-

"SECTION 22A. (a) The department of public health shall study and report on the need and feasibility of qualified professional guardians to give informed medical consent for indigent persons and whether such guardians would reduce hospital discharge issues and increase access to long-term care and preventive care; provided, however, that the report shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the need for qualified professional guardians to assist indigent persons with accessing appropriate medical care, including  preventive care; (ii) data on the current number of Rogers guardians and similar guardians and the financial impact of reimbursing such guardians; (iii) the fiscal impact of establishing MassHealth fee-for-service guardians; and (iv) other recommendations deemed necessary by the department.

(b) Not later than July 31, 2025, the department shall submit its report, including any proposed legislation necessary to carry out its recommendations, to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the senate and house committees on ways and means and the joint committee on elder affairs.”