The Providers’ Council submitted testimony at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) public hearings on 101 CMR 424.00, addressing rates for Developmental and Support Services. Representing over 220 community-based human services organizations across Massachusetts, the Council emphasized the need for equitable reimbursement rates to address workforce challenges and maintain critical services.
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 address high turnover, vacancies, and service waitlists, ensuring fair pay for human services workers.
- Increasing the Cost Adjustment Factor (CAF): Advocating for a CAF of at least 4.26%, based on realistic economic projections, instead of the proposed 2.58%.
- Enhancing Fringe and Administrative Allocations: Requesting an increased tax/fringe rate of 32.48%, including retirement funding, and supporting an administrative allocation of 15-18%.
- Adjusting for New Overtime Regulations: Calling for rates to reflect increased costs due to the Department of Labor’s updated overtime thresholds.
The Council highlighted the gender and racial equity dimensions of workforce funding, noting that the sector is predominantly composed of women and people of color. Adequate funding is essential to support fair wages and ensure services for the Commonwealth’s residents remain accessible and high-quality.
Contact Caroline O’Neill with any questions regarding these hearings.