Chapter 257:

FY 15 - Critical to Implementation

With the signing of Chapter 257, the Commonwealth made a commitment to set and make effective fair rates for human and social services. We must make our expectations clear as we move into the next fiscal year and work the budget through the Patrick Administration and the Legislature

To date, EOHHS has set rates for 70% of their commitment, yet only funded only 43%.

The Collaborative

is working closely with EOHHS to proceed

with a fair and timely implementation.

Between now and early January, be sure to:

Invite state legislators to visit your programs.
Write your legislators about the need to fully implement Chapter 257. Remind them this law is not about funding - it is about setting fair rates for the services they have mandated. It is about quality services.
Hold, or attend, legislative breakfasts. Invite a member of The Collaborative
to attend to speak about this critica

l law. Invite the people you serve and the media.
Write letters to your local papers about the need for adequate funding - consider op-eds.
Remember: The Governor's budget comes out at the end of January and will set the tone for future budgets developed by the House and Senate.

Our mission is to:

Stake a firm position that this law must be fully and fairly implemented.
Remind top decision makers of the essential services you deliver and why you need fair rates to be set.
Reinforce the importance of community-based services. A strong state-wide message is critical.

Your efforts will help bolster the work of The Collaborative as we work with EOHHS and the Administration.

Gov's FY 15--Key to Fulfilling Chap 257 Promise

As the Governor and his team meet to assemble the Governor's proposed FY 15 Budget, members of the Collaborative will be carefully watching all line items that fall under the state's rate setting law, Chapter 257, to be funded fully to meet the state's statutory obligation.

Collaborative leaders are feeling positive about the Administration's intention to honor their commitment, noting the public promise made by John Polanowicz, Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services who told the Chapter 257 Governor's Commission, the Provider and Consumer Advisory Council, that the Patrick Administration intends to fully implement the law before the Governor leaves office in January 2015. This includes setting all POS and making effective promptly all POS rates in accordance with Chapter 257 and reviewing and adjusting rates as mandated by the two year provision of the law.

To honor Secretary Polanowicz and Governor Patrick's commitment, the FY 15 Budget must fully fund increases for all rates set in accordance with Chapter 257. These rates include rates for DMH, DDS, DCF, DPH, DYS and MRC.

Additionally the FY 15 Budget will require the Commonwealth

to have in place the two year review adjustments as set in state law. Good news for providers who have gone 25 years with no rate mechanism, no rate increases and resulting low pay for staff as well as virtually no money for program infrastructure. Also key to keeping the Governor's promise will be the new Secretary of Administration and Finance, Glen Shor, whose office is responsible for producing the Governor's FY 15 budget recommendation.