I.New House Committee Chairs
New assignments were announced.(for 2009-2010).
Some include:
II. MOVING MASSHEALTH OUT OF ELDER AFFAIRS The Governor has decided to delay or put off
this move. There remains a desire by the administration to make this
move but there is now a willingness to talk with stakeholders about this effort.
We'll inform you of the next step(s).
Please read below.
The Patrick Administration(in Mass) has decided to
move the long term care section of Masshealth out of Elder Affairs and
back to Medicaid. It was separated from Elder Affairs (a number of
years ago) in order to have more services for elders in one place.
Historically, services for elders from the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts have been located in various places. This has made it
difficult for elders and providers to access services.
If this move is made it will bring different parts
of Medicaid together but services for elders will again be scattered
around state agencies.
The Governor or Legislative Leadership(ex.- House
Speaker, Senate President, et.al.) have the authority to change this
initiative. III.
GUARDIANSHIP
Governor Patrick signed the Probate Court Reform
Bill. It includes provisions to make significant changes in
Massachusetts Guardianship Procedures. See below for more information(#
VII). It will be in effect as of July1, 2009. Implementation and rules will be written by a committee of he Probate Court.
IV. Guardianship This bill(S. 2622)now a law in the Mass will: 1. Create a new standard for "incapacitated person"
based on functioning(lack of capacity). Diagnosis will not be the only
criteria.
2. The guardian's powers will be limited(ex.- the
guardian will go to the Probate court when a nursing home placement is
in the works).
3. The guardian must submit detailed annual reports.
4. There is a requirement for a more comprehensive and integrated medical certficate.
It has been passed by the entire legislature and signed by the Governor. We will update when we have more information about the regulatory and implementation process. It should be in place 7/09. V. RESIGNATION OF ELDER AFFAIRS SECRETARY Mike Festa, the Secretary of Elder Affairs , has announced his resignation from that position. Ellie Shea Delaney will fill that post until a decision has been made about someone to fill it on a permanent basis. |