Budget Amendment ID: FY2027-S4-549

EHS 549

DDS Working Group

Ms. Howard moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section ___, the following section:-

"SECTION ___.The executive office of health and human services shall convene a working group to review the scope of services and eligibility thresholds of the personal care attendant program; provided further, that the membership of the working group shall include, but not be limited to: (a) the secretary of health and human services or a designee; (b) a representative of the personal care attendant workforce council; (c) a representative of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East; (d) a representative of the Massachusetts Senior Care Association; (e) a representative of the Massachusetts Senior Action Council; (f) a representative of The Arc of Massachusetts; and (g) a representative of the Disability Policy Consortium; provided further, that said working group shall evaluate the eligibility criteria, scope of services, program oversight, workforce supply and pipeline, short- and long-term cost growth, the current state of any structural change initiatives related to pre-admission counselling, screenings, assessments and coordination of care and any other component of the personal care attendant program and make recommendations for the long-term sustainability and cost containment of the program; provided further, that said working group shall submit said recommendations on or before March 7, 2025, to the secretary of administration and finance, house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on health care financing;"