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From the Director
Governor signs Equal Choice bill...Berkshire seniors well served by Berkshire delegation
Over the past many months, much has been said and written about the Equal Choice bill. Now, there is good news to report. In August, Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney signed the Equal Choice bill into law, bringing to fruition a five-year legislative effort to give seniors and individuals with disabilities the choice of where they will receive their long-term care services. The new law, which was unanimously approved by both branches of the state Legislature before being sent to the Governor for his signature, states that a senior or individual with disabilities, who is eligible for MassHealth (Medicaid) benefits, “shall be given the choice of care setting that is the least restrictive and most appropriate to meet his or her needs,” which means that these individuals can now choose to receive their long-term care services at home if that is the most appropriate setting. Additionally, the new Equal Choice law will seek to expand the income criteria for seniors and individuals, who are clinically eligible for the Equal Choice benefit, so that they will also be financially eligible for the program. Because MassHealth is a federal-state funded program under which the federal government reimburses the state 50 cents for every dollar spent, the Commonwealth will seek a federal waiver so that seniors with incomes up to $1,715 a month and assets up to $10,000 (excluding a house and car) will be financially eligible for the program. The third component of the new law states that all persons eligible for the program shall receive counseling for long-term care services, which shall include an assessment of their community-based service options. It is expected that the new Equal Choice law will save the Commonwealth more than $134 million over the next five years because it is typically less expensive to serve individuals in their own homes, and because the federal government will reimburse the state for half of what this federal-state funded program will cost. With the passage of the Equal Choice Bill, Massachusetts now has legislation that is aligned with the important 1999 US Supreme Court decision in Olmstead v. L.C., which underscored the need for an appropriate level of home and community-based services for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Thanks to all in Berkshire County and throughout the Commonwealth who helped to make Equal Choice a reality.
During the past year, Berkshire County seniors have been well served by their elected representatives to the Massachusetts House and Senate. Senator Andrea Nuciforo, and Representatives Daniel Bosley, Denis Guyer, William “Smitty” Pignatelli, and Christopher Speranzo have been steadfast in their support of the Equal Choice legislation and the need for sufficient funding for in-home and community based services. On behalf of Elder Services, I would like to thank Senator Nuciforo and Representatives Bosley, Guyer, Pignatelli, and Speranzo for their support of Berkshire seniors and the services they need.
Robert P. Dean is Executive Director of Elder Services