We are pleased to report that Governor Healey has signed into law the FY2024 budget totaling $56 billion and includes $283 million over the current FY 2023 Medicaid nursing facility budget appropriation. Specifically, the budget maintains the new $165 million included in December 2023 rate update, expands the $50 per day per member Medicaid SUD add-on to all facilities, and funds an additional $118 million in Rate Year 2024 to cover resident care and workforce costs. Mass Senior Care extends its strong appreciation to Governor Healey, Senate President Spilka, Speaker Mariano, Chairman Rodrigues and Chairman Michlewitz for continuing to prioritize the safety and well-being of nursing facility residents and their caregivers.
In addition, the budget includes a number of important workforce initiatives: $20 million for MassReconnect scholarship program to cover unfilled community college costs for adults older than 25 without a degree, $18 million to cover the costs of attending community college nursing programs and $12 million to make community college fully free by fall 2024.
The FY2024 budget also establishes a task force to make recommendations on expanding geriatric psychiatric capacity in nursing facilities, of which Mass Senior Care is designated as a member of the Task Force, and a separate requirement that the board of registration in nursing develop an alternative approval process to allow faculty whose highest earned degree is a baccalaureate degree in nursing to teach the clinical or skills lab component of a course in a registered nursing program.