Bill > S839

This bill proposes two key changes to Massachusetts law regarding nursing home funding and staffing. First, it requires the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to annually adjust Medicaid payments for nursing homes using an inflation adjustment based on the Skilled Nursing Facility Market Basket Update, which is a standardized method established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for calculating cost increases in nursing home operations. Second, the bill mandates that nursing homes must maintain sufficient nursing staff with appropriate skills to ensure resident safety and well-being, with staffing levels determined by comprehensive resident assessments and individual care plans that take into account the specific characteristics of the facility's resident population. Importantly, the bill stipulates that when setting Medicaid rates, the state must fully recognize the actual nursing costs associated with meeting these staffing requirements. These provisions aim to ensure that nursing homes receive adequate funding to maintain high-quality care and have the resources necessary to staff their facilities appropriately, ultimately protecting the health and well-being of nursing home residents.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S839