Bill > S358

This bill aims to improve the quality of care in nursing homes by providing additional funding and resources for nursing home staff. The key provisions of the bill include: 1. Requiring MassHealth (the state's Medicaid program) to provide at least $90 million annually to fund a rate add-on for wages, benefits, and related employee costs of direct care staff in licensed nursing homes, including certified nurse aides, housekeepers, laundry, and dietary staff. MassHealth is also required to adjust this add-on annually based on the Massachusetts Consumer Price Index to account for inflation. 2. Establishing a scholarship program within the Department of Public Health to cover the full cost of tuition for certified nurse aide and direct care worker training programs, including programs providing cross-training and adult basic education or English as a second language training for applicants. The Department is also required to conduct outreach and consult with a scholarship program advisory council to review and recommend new training requirements for these workers. 3. Directing the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, through the Commonwealth Corporation, to establish a $2.5 million annual grant program for nursing facility supervisory and leadership training, with the goal of retaining staff and reducing turnover. The overall aim of the bill is to improve the quality of care in nursing homes by investing in the education, training, and compensation of the direct care workforce.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S358