Newsroom: Press Release

Mass Senior Care Association applauds Governor Baker’s first-in-the nation COVID-19 vaccine mandate for nursing facility workers, which will further ensure the safety and wellbeing of the Commonwealth’s nursing facility residents. To date, Massachusetts nursing facilities have made significant strides in mitigating the spread of, and preventing deaths from, the COVID-19 virus and prioritizing nursing home residents and staff in the vaccine rollout has had a substantial impact. While Massachusetts nursing facilities currently have the 6th highest rate of staff COVID-19

MASSACHUSETTS SENIOR CARE ASSOCIATION URGES CONTINUED INVESTMENTS IN NURSING FACILITY CARE The Massachusetts Senior Care Association (MSCA) today thanked House and Senate lawmakers for their support in increasing Medicaid funding to more realistically account for the cost of resident care, while stressing that the acute workforce shortage necessitates the need for additional supplemental funding to provide quality care to residents. More than two-thirds of nursing home residents rely on MassHealth--the state's Medicaid program--to cover the cost of their care. Currently

BOSTON — Encouraging data released today by the Massachusetts Senior Care Association show nursing homes in Massachusetts have made significant strides in mitigating the spread of, and preventing deaths from, the COVID-19 virus. The data also show that prioritizing nursing home residents and staff for the vaccine rollout is working exceedingly well. To date, over 125,000+ vaccine doses have been administered to nursing home residents and staff in Massachusetts, and since May of 2020 there has been a 94% reduction

"Today marks a critical and hopeful milestone in our fight against Covid-19 with the first wave of vaccines being distributed today in nursing facilities across the Commonwealth. Many nursing facilities are reporting more than 90% of residents have consented to receiving the vaccine and a growing number of staff are planning to be vaccinated. This is a testament to the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, as well as ongoing education efforts by many including bi-lingual materials Mass Senior Care

MASSACHUSETTS SENIOR CARE ASSOCIATION LAUNCHES "ARMING OURSELVES AGAINST COVID-19" CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE COVID-19 VACCINATION CAMPAIGN TO FOCUS ON SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF COVID-19 VACCINES The Massachusetts Senior Care Association, representing more than 350 nursing facilities and long term care facilities across the Commonwealth launched a campaign this week to encourage long term care residents and staff to get vaccinated against COVID-19 virus as soon as possible. Called " Arming Ourselves Against COVID-19 " the campaign seeks to educate those who

STATEMENT FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS SENIOR CARE ASSOCIATION REGARDING THE BAKER ADMINISTRATION'S PLAN FOR COVID-19 VACCINE PHASED ROLLOUT The Massachusetts Senior Care Association together with our residents, their families and caregivers are extremely grateful to state and federal public health officials for continuing to prioritize the protection of residents and staff in nursing homes, assisted living, and rest home residents, by ensuring they are in the first cohort of COVID-19 vaccine recipients. The Baker Administration's planned rollout is great news and

REP. RICHARD NEAL TO MASSACHUSETTS SENIOR CARE ASSOCIATION MEMBERS: WE NEED TO DO MORE TO SUPPORT HEROIC NURSING HOME WORKERS ANNUAL MEETING SPEAKERS FOCUS ON MENTAL AND PHYSICAL TOLL ON STAFF AND RECOVERY STRATEGIES Boston--At today's annual meeting of the Massachusetts Senior Care Association (MSCA) and its members, The Honorable Richard Neal, U.S. Congressman for the state's 1st District, spoke about the incredible efforts of nursing home staff during the pandemic, and the need for ongoing support to protect residents

MASSACHUSETTS SENIOR CARE ASSOCIATION AND HEBREW SENIORLIFE TO LEAD 300 NURSING HOMES IN NATIONWIDE INITIATIVE TO FIGHT COVID-19 INFECTION IN NURSING HOMES Massachusetts Senior Care Association and Hebrew SeniorLife are collaborating in a nationwide training program to help keep COVID-19 from spreading in area nursing homes and to prepare and equip staff so that they can better protect residents and themselves. This is an essential nationwide initiative in the fight against COVID-19. The program is part of the National Nursing

Statement From Tara Gregorio, President of the Massachusetts Senior Care Association, Regarding the Baker Administration's Additional Funding Package for Nursing Homes We are grateful to Governor Baker and his Administration for making emergency funds available to help long-term care facilities protect our residents and staff from the unprecedented dangers of COVID-19. The Massachusetts Senior Care Association, the COVID-19 Policy Alliance, led by MIT faculty, and Hebrew SeniorLife have formed a COVID-19 Long Term Care Command Center to help support nursing

STATEMENT FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS SENIOR CARE ASSOCIATION REGARDING THE ADMINISTRATION'S PLANS FOR STAFFING NURSING HOMES AND FUNDING WAGES While we acknowledge and are grateful for Governor Baker's and Secretary Sudders’ continued support for nursing home residents, their families and caregivers, we believe the crisis situation warrants significant additional investments for our frontline staff. Together with the Command Center, we are making good progress on accessing testing and vital PPE, but we need to do more to help protect and support

Nursing Home Association Warns Administration & Legislature: State Must Do More to Prevent Widespread Deaths His Excellency, Charles Baker Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Massachusetts State House Office of the Governor, Room 280 Boston, MA 02133 The Honorable Karen Spilka Massachusetts Senate, President 24 Beacon Street, Room 356 Boston, MA 02133 The Honorable Robert DeLeo Massachusetts House of Representatives, Speaker 24 Beacon Street, Room 332 Boston, MA 02133 Dear Governor Baker, Senate President Spilka and Speaker DeLeo: I am

NURSING HOMES PUT OUT URGENT PLEA FOR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) DONATIONS FOR FRONTLINE STAFF WEBSITE CREATED FOR DONATIONS Today the Massachusetts Senior Care Association launched a website for donations of Personal Protection Equipment for nursing home staff fighting on the frontlines of the COVID-19 battle. MSCA is looking for donations of surgical masks, N-95 masks, gowns, gloves, face shields, thermometer covers, and alcohol-based sanitizing gels. All donations will directly go to nursing homes most in need. Facing severe shortages

Important Update from Massachusetts Senior Care Association President Tara Gregorio Regarding COVID-19 Testing of Nursing Facility Residents The Massachusetts Senior Care Association and our members are grateful to the Command Center for being the first state in the country to act by lowering the threshold for COVID-19 testing for long term care residents. To our knowledge, no other state has yet to expand testing criteria for long term care residents. This action is consistent with CDC findings released on March

Update from Massachusetts Senior Care Association President Tara Gregorio Regarding Efforts to Combat COVID-19 in Skilled Nursing Facilities The elderly, both those living in skilled nursing facilities or in the community, remain particularly vulnerable to contracting the COVID-19 virus and, those with underlying health conditions are especially at risk. It is widely predicted by public health authorities that even with all current efforts that are underway, the number of COVID-19 cases among nursing home residents and their frontline caregivers will

STATEMENT OF TARA GREGORIO, PRESIDENT OF THE MASSACHUSETTS SENIOR CARE ASSOCIATION, ON COVID-19 RECOVERY SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES IN THE COMMONWEALTH “Skilled nursing facilities care for some of the most vulnerable residents of the Commonwealth and our members are taking extraordinary steps to help ensure their health, safety and well- being during this COVID-19 outbreak. Due to the anticipated surge in the need for hospital and nursing facility care over the coming weeks, nursing facilities in partnership with the Commonwealth and

Mass Senior Care Association Releases Statement Supporting SALMON Health & Retirement’s Decision to Dedicate A Building to Caring for COVID-19 Patients “Skilled nursing facilities care for some of the most vulnerable residents of the Commonwealth and our members are taking extraordinary steps to help ensure their health, safety and well-being during this COVID-19 outbreak. Due to the anticipated surge in the need for hospital and nursing facility care over the coming weeks, the state has called on us to help

Statement from Mass Senior Care Association Regarding Mobilization of Nursing Homes to Meet Resident and Staff Needs During Covid-19 Crisis Massachusetts Senior Care Association is working closely with the Baker Administration, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and other state and federal agencies to support the state's nursing homes in mitigating the spread of the COVID-19 virus that poses a lifethreatening danger to our elderly residents. The Association is assisting nursing facilities across the Commonwealth to mobilize all resources necessary

MASSACHUSETTS SENIOR CARE ASSOCIATION STATEMENT ON UPDATED COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS “As the Commonwealth moves aggressively to a COVID-19 mitigation strategy, the state’s nursing facilities are working diligently to implement every available measure in order to protect the state’s 100,000 residents and staff who are especially at risk of contracting this illness. Following Tuesday’s declaration of a State Emergency by Gov. Charlie Baker, the Massachusetts Senior Care Association (MSCA) is continuing to work with the Baker Administration to implement statewide protocols aimed

MASSACHUSETTS SENIOR CARE ASSOCIATION STATEMENT ON COVID-19 Massachusetts Senior Care Association members are taking necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our residents and staff, including use of personal protective equipment, posting signage at entrances and throughout our facilities on best practices, providing alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and asking those with respiratory illnesses and those who have traveled out of the country to refrain from in-person visits. As always, the safety and health of residents and staff in the Commonwealth's nursing

BOSTON – Building on decades-long tradition of supporting employees working to achieve their goals of a career in long term care, the Massachusetts Senior Care Foundation announced its 2019 Foundation Scholars. This year’s class of 35 recipients will use their scholarships to help pay for tuition, books, and other out-of-pocket expenses as they work towards advancing their personal and professional goals in the long term care profession. “It’s an honor to announce this year’s scholarship recipients. The 2019 Foundation Scholars

Nine Massachusetts Long Term Care Facilities Receive National Quality Award Waltham, MA – Nine member nursing facilities of the Massachusetts Senior Care Association have been been awarded the American Health Care Association’s 2019 Silver Achievement in Quality Awards in recognition of the exemplary resident care provided at each of these facilities. “We are extremely proud of the accomplishments of these member nursing facilities,” said Tara Gregorio, President of the Massachusetts Senior Care Association. “A Silver Achievement in Quality Award demonstrates

23 Massachusetts Long Term Care Facilities Receive National Quality Award Waltham, MA – Twenty-three member facilities of the Massachusetts Senior Care Association have been recognized nationally for providing exemplary care to their residents as recipients of the 2019 Bronze Commitment to Quality Award. The award, given annually by the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living, recognizes those providers that have demonstrated a commitment to improving the quality of care for individuals living in senior living

MA NURSING HOME SECTOR TO SOUND THE ALARM TO LAWMAKERS AT MONDAY STATE HOUSE HEARING NURSING HOME STABILIZATION BILLS RECOGNIZE UNPRECEDENTED FINANCIAL CRISIS JEOPARDIZING ACCESS TO QUALITY CARE 35 HOMES POTENTIALLY AT RISK OF CLOSING THIS YEAR BOSTON --- Saying the need is now, the Massachusetts Senior Care Association, along with nursing home direct care workers, residents, their families and providers will urge the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs on Monday to approve legislation to stabilize the nursing home sector

BOSTON—Following nearly a decade of significant underfunding of Massachusetts nursing homes, five facilities filed notice with the state Department of Public Health last week of their intent to shut down. More than 1,000 residents and staff will be impacted by the announced closures. The Massachusetts Senior Care Association today stressed that these decisions underscore an industry on the brink of collapse due largely to inadequate state Medicaid funding, and that many more closures are possible. According to state cost report

BOSTON—With a unanimous vote, the Massachusetts Senate overrode Governor Charlie Baker's veto of $7.5 million in Medicaid nursing facility funding for the FY 2018 budget. Nearly 70% of skilled nursing home residents have their care paid for by MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid program. For nearly a decade state Medicaid reimbursements for nursing home care has flatlined, while the cost of caring for the state’s most vulnerable population has increased substantially. Skilled nursing facilities are underfunded by $37 per day, per

BOSTON—In a critical move, the Massachusetts House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to override Governor Charlie Baker's veto of $7.5 million in Medicaid nursing facility funding. Currently, three-quarters of the state’s nursing facilities have a combined negative margin of 4.4%, an indication that the sector is experiencing an unprecedented financial crisis---a crisis brought on by the state’s lack of investment in nursing home Medicaid funding. Nearly 70% of skilled nursing home residents have their care paid for by Medicaid. Because three-quarters

BOSTON— Saying “there has never been more urgency,” frontline workers, resident family members, administrators and the Massachusetts Senior Care Association (MSCA) today told lawmakers, on the Joint Committee of Elder Affairs, that unless they take drastic action to reverse the lack of investment in the nursing home industry, several facilities face closure, displacing hundreds of residents. A recent analysis of 2016 state cost report data, filed with the Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) shows three quarters of the

BOSTON— In an overwhelming and bipartisan show of support, 123 Massachusetts Representatives and Senators have signed on as co-sponsors to a nursing home stabilization bill that would better enable nursing facilities to meet the daily care needs for their residents and employees. Every year more than 150,000 Massachusetts residents rely on skilled nursing facilities to provide quality care when they can no longer live safely in their home, and when they are undergoing rehabilitation services after a short hospital stay

Boston -- The Massachusetts Senior Care Association (MSCA) is calling on legislators to support a constitutional amendment that would add a 4% surtax on personal incomes over $1 million. It is estimated that approval of this ballot initiative would generate nearly $2 billion in additional state revenues, which is necessary to better ensure that there is sufficient state revenue to fund critical services including transportation, education and health and social services. The Commonwealth’s nursing facilities provide a core state service

Nursing facilities in Massachusetts lose substantially more money per Medicaid patient, per day than the national average, according to a national report. The study, commissioned by the American Health Care Association, shows that Massachusetts has the 4th highest Medicaid shortfall gap. Because over two out of 3 residents at Massachusetts nursing homes rely on Medicaid, the inadequacy of state funding has led to a dire financial situation for Massachusetts nursing facilities. The “2015 Medicaid Shortfall Report” also documents: Massachusetts nursing

In an overwhelming and bipartisan show of support, 124 out of 200 Massachusetts Representatives and Senators have signed on as co-sponsors to a bill that would better enable nursing facilities to meet the needs of their residents and employees. The Commonwealth’s nursing facilities face dire financial and staffing challenges. According to an analysis of the most recent government data, nearly 60% of the state’s 410 nursing facilities are operating on negative budgets. The nursing facility provider community had a cumulative