Bill > S352

This bill aims to improve the home care workforce in Massachusetts. Specifically, it amends the state's Medicaid program (MassHealth) to: 1) Expand the definition of "home care program" to include home health agencies under the federal Medicare program. This ensures these agencies are also subject to the provisions of the bill. 2) Require the state to establish a base reimbursement rate for home care services, including a minimum wage of $15 per hour for homemakers and personal care homemakers by July 1, 2018. The rates must be adjusted biennially and be sufficient to cover the efficiently-incurred costs of providing home care services. Overall, the bill seeks to strengthen the home care workforce and ensure home care agencies are adequately compensated to attract and retain qualified staff to meet the needs of the state's aging population.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S352