The Baker-Polito Administration yesterday filed its Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget proposal totaling $48.5 billion, in which the Governor proposes maintaining the current nursing facility funding levels. The Governor’s priority recommendations in his 2023 budget include a comprehensive tax proposal intended to relieve the tax burden for very low-income individuals, as well as initiatives to provide significant relief for housing and childcare costs. Over Governor Baker’s two terms in office, he has typically filed his budget recommendation with either level funding or a proposed reduction for Medicaid nursing facility services. The FY 2023 budget now moves to the House of Representatives for its review and action. MSCA will continue to work with members to advocate for increased funding for nursing facilities, to enable facilities to maintain the higher staff wages, hire new staff, pay staff a living wage and to make necessary capital improvements. MSCA estimates a 15% or a nearly $250 million gap between the current cost of nursing facility care and MassHealth reimbursement, which is based on 2019 expenses.