At Mass Senior Care’s November 14th Annual Meeting in Southbridge, a standing room only crowd listened to remarks from Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner, Dr. Robbie Goldstein, MSCA Board of Directors Chair, Tom Lavallee, former New England Patriot Joe Andruzzi, and MSCA President Tara Gregorio.
Commissioner Goldstein began by extending gratitude to the dedicated nursing facility staff and long-term care providers across our state, acknowledging the unwavering commitment of our members to the health and well-being of our residents. He highlighted the critical importance of ongoing collaboration with the long-term care sector. Goldstein identified several key lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic including the importance of collaboration, timely guidance, and proactive care measures. Commissioner Goldstein noted that through effective teamwork and shared resources, DPH and the long term care sector can navigate even the most complex challenges facing our healthcare system. By building on these lessons, there is an opportunity to reinforce a healthcare framework that supports the workforce and the residents they care for.
Mass Senior Care’s Board Chair Tom Lavallee, Chief Operating Officer of Alliance Health Management, discussed the Association’s advocacy work, much of which focused on the passage into law of H.5033, An Act to Improve Quality and Oversight of Long-Term Care. Lavallee extended gratitude to Governor Healey, Senate President Karen Spilka, Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano, and the entire legislature for their dedication to nursing home residents and their caregivers. “Our collective voice is being heard in many areas that impact our sector, including legislative, regulatory, workforce development, sustainability and assisted living,” said Lavallee. In addition to actively serving on/co-chairing more than 25 state and national committees, ensuring that we have a hand in shaping policy and developing initiatives that will help position our sector for the future, Lavallee noted that Mass Senior Care is also working with the American Health Care Association (AHCA) to implement the Mass Senior Care Quality Partners (MSCQP) provider-owned network. This network will be a vital resource for nursing facility members seeking to improve their effectiveness in negotiating with managed care companies, participating in value-based contracts, and improving quality. In closing, Lavallee commented, “All this being said, we will not rest on past successes. The Mass Senior Care team and Board of Directors are already fast at work, developing reimbursement, workforce and sustainability strategies for fiscal year 2026 and we hope you will join us in our important grassroots advocacy.”
Lavallee also thanked the Associate Members who generously sponsored the Annual Meeting, including CLA and ProCare LTC Pharmacy. Please click here to view a complete listing of Annual Meeting Sponsors.
In her address to attendees, MSCA President Tara Gregorio shared her continued optimism for the long term care sector and the steps we are taking to ensure a bright future. Gregorio highlighted MSCA’s 2024 advocacy efforts which, working with the Healey Administration and Legislature, resulted in the enactment of two key provisions that will ensure that facilities have the resources to provide quality care for their residents. This includes a new requirement in the historic long term care form law – Chapter 197 of the Acts of 2024 – that the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, in setting Medicaid nursing facility rates, uses costs that are no more than 2 years from the rate year. This begins in October 2025 and will help ensure that facilities secure resources that more fully recognize our actual care costs. This upcoming change builds on the cumulative Medicaid base rate increases we have received over the last six years totaling close to 50%, which do not include additional significant COVID revenue during this period or revenue increases to recognize increased acuity under the new PDPM payment system. In addition, the new reform law in combination with the Economic Development Law. will provide $50 million for facilities to make urgently needed capital improvements for repairs and upgrades. Gregorio noted that we will be working closely with the Healey Administration to implement these two sections of the law over the next year, as well as other major pieces of the legislation including new compliance requirements. In addition, we will provide educational webinars to ensure that members have the capacity to meet the new requirements of the law.
This year, the Association was very pleased to recognize eight member nursing facilities for their achievements in the 2024 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Awards program, including:
Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award
- Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center of Westborough
- Casa de Ramana Rehabilitation Center
- Holy Trinity Nursing & Rehab Center
- Leonard Florence Center
- Lutheran Rehabilitation & Skilled Care Center
- Mont Marie Health Care Center
- Notre Dame Long Term Care Center
- Sherrill House
The recognition ceremony continued with honoring the 2024 Foundation Scholars. We very much appreciate the ongoing support of our members and vendors and in particular, our top tier sponsors, Premier Sponsor, CLA, Gold Sponsor, Marquis Health Consulting Services, and Silver Sponsor, Life Care Centers of America, as well as the companies, organizations and individuals who lend their financial support to help us achieve the Foundation’s mission, including our Flagship Scholarship Program.
Misty Gassman, an Infection Prevention Control nurse at Bourne Manor Extended Care facility in Bourne, received a scholarship and was also recognized as the recipient of the Peggi Leoni Memorial Scholarship Award. This scholarship was established in honor of Margaret “Peggi” Leoni, who was a cherished Mass Senior Care colleague who died unexpectedly in 2018. This memorial award honors Peggi’s passion, knowledge and commitment to quality nursing home care and the Foundation was proud to present this year’s award to Misty Gassman.
During the Annual Business Meeting, Kevin Morris, Association Treasurer and President & CEO of BaneCare Management, presented the 2025 Association Budget and Matt Salmon, Association Immediate Past Chair and CEO of SALMON Health & Retirement presented the Slate of Officers and Members-at-Large, all of which were unanimously approved. Tom Lavallee was re-elected Chair along with Vice-Chair Adam Berman, President, Legacy Lifecare; Treasurer Kevin Morris, President & CEO, BaneCare Management, and Clerk Sharon Donaghue, Division President, Marquis Health Consulting Services.
Angela Bovill, President & CEO of Ascentria Care Alliance, was elected to a Member-at-Large seat for a one year term beginning January 1, 2025.
Board Members-at-Large elected to a three-year term beginning January 1, 2025, include:
- Ari Erlichman, Owner, Stellar Health Group
- J. Dennis Morgan, CEO and Managing Partner, Village Square, LLC
- Colleen Pino, Executive Director, JML Care Center
The afternoon session, facilitated by Susan Misiorski, Vice President of Workforce Development, included a ‘Workforce Wake Up Call’ presentation by Alayna Thomas, Retention Strategist from Magnet Culture, followed by a Q&A session with attendees.