FY2013 - FY2017 Capital Investment Plan
Report - Investment Category - Health and Human Services
The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides
the safety net for many of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable citizens. The
sixteen agencies of HHS provide critical services for the Commonwealth,
including but not limited to services to veterans, elders, immigrants and the
mentally ill; to citizens suffering from developmental and other disabilities;
and to children and youth. HHS agencies administer the Commonwealth’s Medicaid
program, its Department of Public Health, and the Department of Transitional
Assistance.
HHS facilities are numerous: more than 750 buildings, encompassing
over 10 million square feet of space, are spread over 38 state-owned
properties. These structures include hospitals, clinics, long and short-term
care facilities, offices, and support facilities such as power plants and
garages. Many of these facilities operate 24 hours per day, 7 days per week,
year-round.
The following graph reflects the Administration’s estimated
capital investment in health and human services capital projects and programs
over the next five years, as compared to fiscal years 2007 and 2012 health and
human services related spending. After the completion of the new Worcester Recovery
Center and Hospital in FY12, the Administration is planning for the next round
of projects in future years.
Policy Goals
- Health Care Access, Quality, and
Affordability. HHS
agencies provide acute and chronic medical care, mental health services
and veterans’ health services. Through MassHealth, HHS provides
comprehensive health insurance to 1.3 million people. As the U.S. leader
in near-universal access to health care, Massachusetts agencies are
pursuing innovative strategies to reduce health care costs.
- Encourage community first. HHS agencies are committed to
helping elders and individuals with disabilities to live with dignity and
independence in their communities. In accordance with the 1999 U.S. Supreme Court Olmstead
decision, which held that unnecessary institutionalization is a violation
of the Americans with Disabilities Act, HHS is taking steps to close
outdated residential campuses for disabled individuals and provide
services in a community setting.
- Ensure safe communities. HHS agencies play a leading role
in efforts to reduce violence, abuse and neglect of vulnerable citizens,
including children, youth and elders, through both prevention and
intervention programs. HHS agencies also make a significant contribution
to Massachusetts’ emergency preparedness efforts.
- Promote self-sufficiency. Agencies of HHS provide
employment-related services to more than 25,000 persons each year. Working
with people with disabilities, with veterans, with refugees and immigrants
and with low-income individuals, HHS agencies help Massachusetts residents
obtain meaningful employment.
- Ensure Children are Ready to
Learn. HHS
agencies are taking steps which will allow all children to overcome or
avoid mental or physical health issues, housing instability and family
violence so they may have the best possible background to their education.
Administration Accomplishments to Date
- Balancing the rights of
individuals with disabilities to receive services in their communities
with the needs of some of the most severely challenged to receive intensive
care, the Department of Mental Health’s new Worcester Recovery Center and
Hospital recently opened to mental health patients. This state-of-the-art
facility exemplifies a model that fosters recovery instead of
hospitalization. Moreover, the building has been designed to meet LEED
Gold certification for its “green” design and construction.
- Improvements to HHS’s information
technology and business systems have resulted in better case management,
integrated means testing and electronic health records for Medicaid
clients. These improvements will result in lower health care costs.
- In order to
serve individuals with disabilities in smaller, more personal settings,
community-based residences have been or are being constructed to replace
four large residential Department of Developmental Services’ campuses.
Twelve new state-supported residences have been opened to serve clients
being relocated from the Monson Developmental Center.
FY13 Highlights
- Construction of the Worcester Recovery Center and
Hospital has been completed.
- Life safety, room upgrades and
other improvements to the Commonwealth’s two Soldiers’ Homes are ongoing,
while coordinating with the VA to maximize federal reimbursement.
- To provide a
safe and secure environment for Massachusetts youth who are in state
custody, improvements to three Department of Youth Services (DYS)
facilities are underway or being planned. Within these facilities,
educational goals are pursued in accordance with the HHS educational and
Community First priorities.
- In conjunction with DCAM, HHS will complete their
Facilities Master Plan providing secretariat-wide recommendations for state-owned property.
- HHS will continue work with agencies and DCAM to
properly close outdated campuses, consolidate any ongoing programs to
other facilities and secure remaining properties for disposition.