The Providers’ Council submitted testimony to the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) on 101 CMR 410.00, 101 CMR 412.00, and 101 CMR 425.00, addressing rates for Competitive Integrated Employment Services, Family Transitional Support Services, and Young Parent Support Programs. Representing over 220 community-based human services organizations in Massachusetts, the Council emphasized the critical need for fair reimbursement rates to address workforce shortages and ensure high-quality care for residents.
Key Recommendations:
- Maintain Bureau of Labor Statistics Benchmarks at the 75th Percentile: Urging EOHHS to set salary benchmarks at no less than the 75th percentile to ensure competitive wages and reduce staff turnover, aligning with state employee pay for similar roles.
- Increase the Cost Adjustment Factor (CAF): Recommending an increase from the proposed 2.58% to at least 4.26%, using the IHS Markit pessimistic scenario to more accurately reflect economic realities and cost-of-living adjustments.
- Enhance Tax, Fringe, and Administrative Allocations: Advocating for a total tax and fringe rate of 32.48%, including a 5.1% retirement benefit, and raising the administrative allocation from 12% to a range of 15-18% to better reflect operational costs.
The testimony underscored the equity impact of these measures, noting that the human services workforce is predominantly women (80%) and people of color (36%). Adequate funding is essential for fair compensation, staff recruitment and retention, and maintaining vital services for Massachusetts residents.
For questions regarding these hearings, please contact Caroline O’Neill.