40000600 - MassHealth Senior Care

Account Description FY2009
Spending
FY2010
GAA
4000-0600 MassHealth Senior Care
For health care services provided to MassHealth members who are seniors, and for the operation of the senior care options program under section 9D of chapter 118E of the General Laws; provided, that funds may be expended from this item for health care services provided to these recipients in prior fiscal years; provided further, that funds shall be expended for the "community choices" initiative; provided further, that no payment for special provider costs shall be made from this item without the prior written approval of the secretary of administration and finance; provided further, that benefits for this demonstration project shall not be reduced below the services provided in fiscal year 2009; provided further, that the eligibility requirements for this demonstration project shall not be more restrictive than those established in fiscal year 2009; provided further, that the executive office of health and human services shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing the projected costs and the number of individuals served by the "community choices" initiative in fiscal year 2010 delineated by the federal poverty level; provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, funds shall be expended from this item for the purpose of maintaining a personal needs allowance of $72.80 per month for individuals residing in nursing homes and rest homes who are eligible for MassHealth, Emergency Aid to the Elderly Disabled and Children program or Supplemental Security Income; provided further, care management under section 3 of chapter 211 of the acts of 2006 shall be implemented through Aging & Disability Resource Consortiums, which shall include a combination of 1 or more Aging Services Access Points and Independent Living Centers; provided further, that not less than $2,500,000 shall be expended from this item to implement the provisions of section 2 of chapter 211 of the acts of 2006, the pre-admission counseling and assessment program, which shall be implemented on a statewide basis through aging and disability resource consortia; provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, for any nursing home or non-acute chronic disease hospital that provides kosher food to its residents, the department, in consultation with the division, in recognition of the unique special innovative program status granted by the executive office, shall continue to make the standard payment rates established in fiscal year 2006 to reflect the high dietary costs incurred in providing kosher food; provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, nursing facility rates effective July 1, 2009 may be developed using the costs of calendar year 2005; provided further, that funds shall be expended for the purpose of a housing with services demonstration project known as the 'Caring Homes' initiative designed to delay or prevent nursing home placement by providing care-giving services to an elder; provided further, that under said demonstration project, eligible MassHealth enrollees shall be able to live in the home of an individual or relative, with the exception of spouses and dependent children, to provide for their long term supports, pursuant to regulations promulgated by said executive office; provided further, that not later than December 1, 2009, the secretary of the executive office of health and human services shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means on the implementation of the commonwealth's Olmstead Plan to date; and provided further, that the secretary of elder affairs and the director of the office of Medicaid shall provide a monthly report to the secretary of administration and finance and to the house and senate committees on ways and means showing Medicaid nursing facility utilization in the current fiscal year compared to Medicaid nursing facility utilization in the same period for the prior fiscal year

2,076,373,430 2,114,610,628

Veto Explanation:  I am striking language which earmarks funding for a program not recommended, and I am reducing this item by an amount not recommended in light of available revenues.

 
 
Earmarks

EARMARK DESCRIPTION

City / Town
FY2010
GAA
Pre-Admission Counseling for Nursing Homes Statewide2,500,000
Kosher Food Rate Statewide1,300,000