The Senate Ways & Means (SWM) Committee this afternoon released their FY ’24 budget proposal, a $55.8 billion spending plan that includes $173 million for the Chapter 257 Reserve.
The investment in the Chapter 257 line item represents an increase of $94 million, or nearly 119%, from FY ’22. The Council compared the Chapter 257 line item to the FY ’22 budget, rather than the FY ’23 budget, because the number of Chapter 257 rates reviewed by EOHHS alternate in proportion every other year.
“With these budget recommendations, our Commonwealth is on firm fiscal footing and well positioned to confront any challenges, while further investing to support our communities and maintain our long-term economic health,” said SWM Chair Michael Rodrigues.
The SWM budget proposal included higher funding amounts than the HWM budget proposal for two Department of Children & Families line items: there was a 36.25% increase to DCF Family Resource Centers and an 8.41% increase to DCF and DTA Related Child Care. However, the SWM proposal decreased funding to several other line items compared to the HWM budget: there was a 13.2% decrease to Vocational Rehabilitation for People with Disabilities, a 6.98% decrease to HIV/AIDS Prevention Treatment and Services and a 5.94% decrease to HomeBASE.
Other items of interest include:
- MRC line item 4120-6000 – Head Injury Treatment Services – rose from $24.9 million in FY ’23 to $27.9 million, an increase of 12.2%.
- DTA line item 4408-1000 – Emergency Aid to Elderly Disabled & Children – rose from $147.5 million in FY ’23 to $201.4 million, an increase of 36.6%.
- DCF line item 4800-0041 – Congregate Care Services – rose from $336.9 million in FY ’23 to $431 million, an increase of nearly 28%.
- DMH line item 5046-0000 – Adult Mental Health and Support Services – rose from $518.7 million in FY ’23 to $597.7 million, an increase of 15.2%.
- DDS line item 5920-2000 – Community Residential Services – rose from $1.44 billion in FY ’23 to $1.72 billion, an increase of nearly 19%.
- DHCD line item 7004-9024 – Mass. Rental Voucher Program – rose from $154.3 million in FY ’23 to $179.6 million, an increase of 16.4%.
- ELD line item 9110-1630 – Home Care Services – rose from $200.4 million in FY ’23 to $213.8 million, an increase of 6.7%.
The preliminary analysis from the Providers’ Council, which tracks frequently discussed human services line items, is located here. To discuss any of these line items or ask that other line items be tracked, please contact Bill Yelenak.
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