Yesterday, the House of Representatives adopted two nursing home amendments to HB 4888, An Act to Promote Resilience in our Health Care System. Passage of Amendment #20 and Amendment #70 would help to provide critical tools and resources for nursing facilities to protect their residents and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Amendment #20, PPE Exchange for Eldercare and Healthcare Providers – this amendment would require the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to establish an online Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Exchange for the purpose of helping providers of health care and long term care services and supports to aggregate and secure an adequate supply of vital PPE, at competitive prices that comply with all federal and state requirements.
- Amendment #70, COVID-19 Isolation Rooms – this amendment would require the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to study the feasibility and cost of converting multiple occupancy rooms into single occupancy bedrooms for the purposes of compliance with infection control standards. The report shall include recommendations for an enhanced Medicaid payment structure to support the creation of private isolation space within long-term care facilities.
Thank you to Mass Senior Care members who participated in our legislative action alert. More than 420 emails were sent to state representatives. Mass Senior Care extends its thanks to Chair Ruth Balser (D-Newton) and Chair Tom Golden, Jr. (D-Lowell) who filed the amendments and the full House of Representatives for their support. The bill will now go to the Senate for further deliberations before being sent to Governor Baker for final action.