Proposed $2.1M cut to senior home care

BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP) - Advocates are demanding the Patrick administration’s Heath Care Finance & Policy Division reject proposed cuts of more than $2 million dollars in home care for low-income seniors.   

“I’m standing in front of you with the passion of the elders that need the services that we provide,” said Affinity Home Health Care President Paul Dzialo.

Mass Home Care Executive Director Al Norman testified before state officials that there are already 2,200 seniors on waiting lists because of insufficient funding. The Greenfield native said more cuts will overburden homecare managers and nurses.

“It means that a manager might be working with 100 people instead of 80 people and it just dilutes the effectiveness and the value of their time by overloading them with clients that they don’t have time for,” said Norman.

When 22 News approached Health Care Finance & Policy officials, they declined to offer comment.  But 22 News obtained a copy of their staff testimony.  It proposes rate decreases beginning October 1 ^st based on what home care groups have spent in the past.  But advocates say the administration should not review what they spend, but what they actually need.

“Since 2009, we’ve lost about $15 million dollars.  That’s the largest single drop in state support in any time in history and it’s under this governor,” said Norman.

Advocates are asking the Patrick administration to restore elderly home care funding to 2009 levels.  

Health care officials say they'll have nothing to say about the proposal until after the pubic comment period ends September 17th.  You can submit testimony in writing at:

http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/laws-regs/hcf/registration-to-testify-at-a-dhcfp-public-hearing.html