The next DPH monthly call with providers is scheduled for Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.

Concern over the COVID-19 delta variant and recent outbreaks in long term care facilities has Connecticut, California, New Jersey, and Washington join a growing list of states mandating COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment for all long term care workers.

MassHealth today issued an updated HPPD Staff Reporting Bulletin informing nursing homes that at the end of July facilities will no longer need to report staffing information to CHIA.

The NHSN announced new changes coming this fall to the Health Care Personnel COVID-19 Vaccination Cumulative Summary, the IRS updated its Frequently Asked Questions on the paid sick and family leave tax credits under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, AHCA webinar on boosting staff vaccination rates, and Massachusetts Virtual Job Fair through the MassHire system from August 16-20, 10AM-2PM each day.

AHCA/NCAL is excited to announce that the 2022 National Quality Award Program year is now open and application packets are available! We encourage members to begin planning this month.

The next healthcare cybersecurity call hosted by Massachusetts eHealth Institute (MeHI) and the MassCyberCenter, in collaboration with Massachusetts Senior Care Association, is scheduled for Thursday, August 12 at 10:00am, will focus primarily on current threats and ransomware at large. You can register for the call now by visiting our Zoom registration page.

The Department of Homeland Security has posted for public inspection a Federal Register notice that provides information about how to register for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas previously announced this 18-month designation of Haiti for TPS on May 22.

Last week a new bipartisan legislation was introduced before Congress to give Medicare patient more choice with home care. Entitled “The Choose Home Care Act of 2021”, the bill is designed to increase access to care at home by providing eligible Medicare Fee For Service beneficiaries with an additional care option following hospitalization. The proposal would expand home health services to qualifying Medicare Fee For Service patients following discharge from an acute hospital.

Governor Baker earlier this week signed into law House Bill 4017, which establishes a special commission to examine the Department of Public Health’s nursing home licensure process and requirements. This Special Commission licensure law was originally included last month as part of the State Fiscal Year 2022 budget as Outside Section 129. However, the Governor returned to the Legislature this section with proposed amendments that would have addressed certain suitability issues, in addition to establishing a Commission. The Legislature subsequently rejected the Governor’s proposed changes and re-adopted the original language establishing the Commission. The Governor has now signed this into law.