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Senate passes S. 65
Bill moves on to State House of Representatives
Massachusetts Senate Bill 2764 (formerly S. 65), An Act Relative to Rates for Human and Social Service Programs paased today by a vote of 36-0. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives, where the legislative session ends July 31.
More than 200 Vinfen staff and clients attended a June 10 rally at the State House in support of this legislation (click here for details).
Although more than 185,000 Massachusetts employees provide human services, the state has not appropriated any money to reflect the increased operating costs of community-based care since 1987. This has often resulted in fewer programs, lower salaries and health care plans requiring higher employee contributions.
Senate Bill 2764 would enable providers to bid on state contracts with rates that are based upon the actual cost of providing services. It would allow providers to increase salaries, retain capable employees and raise the level of care.
S. 2764 shifts the responsibility of setting rates from the state’s purchasing division to the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy, enabling important decisions to be made by people experienced in this complex field.
For further information about S. 2764, see www.strengthenhumanservices.org
Contact:
Howard Newman
Senior Communications and Public Affairs Specialist
(617) 441-1726 newmanh@vinfen.org
(Download PDF)
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