The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides critical services for the Commonwealth and is the largest segment of the executive branch, accounting for nearly half of the Commonwealth’s operating budget each year. HHS facilities are numerous: more than 800 structures, encompassing over 10 million square feet of state-owned space, are spread over 36 state campuses. 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 level of funding for health and human services capital projects over the next five years is reflected in the chart below.
Investments in fiscal year 2010 are highlighted below and continue to be concentrated in the construction of a new hospital, while advancing the Administration’s efforts toward addressing the backlog of physical plant needs in the state’s health and human service facilities.
$65 million for the construction of a new 320 bed psychiatric facility on the grounds of Worcester State Hospital – a project that will replace and consolidate two outdated existing Department of Mental Health facilities, resulting in expected annual operating savings of approximately $4.15 million from efficiencies such as reduced overhead and staffing costs and a more energy-efficient facility.
$15 million for urgent repair and replacement needs at various HHS facilities, including oxygen delivery, fire safety upgrades, ventilation, and heating and cooling systems
Continuation of a strategic master plan to assess HHS’s needs for state-owned assets and community based services. The master plan seeks to better match the state assets with the agencies’ missions and to reduce capital repairs and operating costs in order to target HHS dollars to the provision of programs and services.