The Providers’ Council submitted testimony at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) public hearings on 101 CMR 420.00 and 101 CMR 451.00, addressing rates for Adult Long-Term Residential Services and Certain Youth and Children Services. Representing over 220 community-based human services organizations across Massachusetts, the Council highlighted the critical need for fair and adequate reimbursement rates to support workforce stability and service delivery.
Key recommendations included:
- Adopting the Bureau of Labor Statistics 75th Percentile Salary Benchmarks : Urging EOHHS to set salaries at or above the 75th percentile to attract and retain skilled workers, address high turnover rates, and reduce service waitlists.
- Increasing the Cost Adjustment Factor (CAF): Advocating for a CAF of at least 4.26% (101 CMR 420.00) and 4.31% (101 CMR 451.00), based on more accurate economic projections, instead of the proposed 2.58% and 2.66%.
- Enhancing Fringe and Administrative Allocations: Requesting an increased tax/fringe rate of 32.48% to include retirement funding and advocating for an administrative allocation of 15-18%.
- Adjusting for New Overtime Regulations: Calling for rate revisions to reflect increased costs due to the Department of Labor’s updated overtime thresholds.
The Council emphasized the gender and racial equity implications of these rates, noting that the workforce is predominantly women and people of color. Adequate funding ensures fair pay and supports essential services for the Commonwealth’s residents.
Contact Caroline O’Neill with any questions regarding these hearings.