Administrative, clinical, and operations staff from nursing facilities across Massachusetts gathered at the DCU Center in Worcester on May 14th for Mass Senior Care Association’s (MSCA) 2025 Spring Conference & Trade Show. The event offered a day of insight, education and networking, anchored by a keynote from Clif Porter, President and CEO of the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL). The morning session included remarks from MSCA Chair Tom Lavallee, and MSCA President Tara Gregorio, and the afternoon program featured staff from the Department of Public Health (DPH), Stephen Davis and Michelle Butler, who shared important updates on survey performance and best practices to achieve compliance.
Board Chair Tom Lavallee, Chief Operating Officer of Alliance Health Management, welcomed attendees and thanked the more than 60 exhibitors and generous sponsors, including Premier Sponsor CLA; Platinum Annual Sponsor/Exclusive LTC Pharmacy Partner, ProCare LTC, A Division of Clarest Health; and Platinum Annual Sponsor/Educational Partner, BakerTilly.
Lavallee also took a moment to recognize the unwavering commitment of our front line staff – our Long Term Care Heroes – stating, “One thing that remains certain is that the caregivers in our communities go above and beyond, every single day. You don’t just care for your residents — you bring comfort, dignity, and kindness into their lives in ways that matter deeply.” He concluded by reaffirming the Board’s commitment to advocating for solutions to address workforce shortages, reimbursement challenges, and regulatory demands, saying, “I’m proud of our industry and its accomplishments, I applaud the commitment of our frontline staff, and I’m proud to play a small part in our incredible Association.”
Amid tremendous changes at the federal level—particularly around potential Medicaid funding cuts that could impact both the quality of care and quality of life in nursing facilities—Clif Porter’s keynote address could not have been more timely. As the newly appointed President and CEO of AHCA/NCAL, Porter shared his vision for the organization, along with key updates from Washington, D.C. He discussed the latest policy developments affecting long term care residents and staff, offered insights into the future of health care policy, and highlighted AHCA’s ongoing advocacy efforts to advance and protect the profession.
MSCA President Tara Gregorio also addressed attendees, expressing appreciation for the Association’s members, MSCA Board of Directors, and sponsors. She shared her continued optimism for the sector, thanking members for their support of MSCA’s 2025 grassroots advocacy efforts and highlighting the critical need for ongoing engagement with local lawmakers. Gregorio reported on a series of issues impacting the sector, including access to care, workforce, quality improvement, and state funding for our critical services. In regard to workforce, Gregorio noted that “We’re proud of the progress we’ve made together to reduce vacancy rates and TNS usage. We must continue to prioritize workforce development efforts as the hiring climate remains fiercely competitive, and we face new challenges with immigration changes that pose a threat to about 10% of our workforce.”
Gregorio also highlighted MSCA’s efforts in regard to modernization of the Medicaid payment system, including working with EOHHS to successfully implement the new PDPM case mix acuity system to better reflect the care provider by facilities. She stated that Mass Senior Care will continue to work with EOHHS on member specific rate add ons to promote access to nursing facility care. Additionally, to address the mounting strain from managed care—marked by low, late, and unpredictable payments—MSCA launched the Mass Senior Care Quality Partners Provider Network in October 2024 in collaboration with AHCA. With over 100 member facilities participating, this initiative aims to improve payment reliability and drive quality through value-based reimbursement, creating a path forward for greater financial stability and care innovation.
MSCA President Gregorio concluded by noting that while challenges to our sector persist, they also serve as a powerful motivator to advocate for the resources that staff and residents need to execute their mission to provide quality care.
The afternoon session featured a presentation from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Division of Health Care Facility Licensure and Certification. Division Director Stephen Davis and Deputy Director Michelle Butler presented data on current survey trends and key findings from recent annual and complaint surveys. They provided an overview of the immediate jeopardy process and related enforcement actions. In addition, they highlighted the most commonly cited deficiencies, offering practical guidance and best practices for maintaining compliance. They shared a concise overview of the current Life Safety Code process and the Fire Safety Evaluation System (FSES), and a Q&A session wrapped up the informative program, offering attendees the chance to engage directly with DPH leadership.
MSCA is grateful to the dedicated speakers and generous sponsors and exhibitors who made the 2025 Spring Conference & Trade Show a success. Thank you to all who attended and continue to support our shared mission of advancing quality care in Massachusetts.
