At the August 13th Public Health Council meeting, DPH reported a decline in health care personnel flu and COVID-19 vaccination rates for the 2024-2025 season for most licensed facilities and EMS.

In the FY 2025 SNF Prospective Payment System (PPS) Final Rule, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a policy for Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) who participate in the SNF Quality Reporting Program a validation (i.e., audit) process beginning in the fall of 2025 for the FY 2027 SNF QRP. This process is a similar one adopted for the SNF Value-Based Purchasing Program.

On August 14, 2025, MassHealth held a Training Session in regard to the Family Assistance Pathway for Nursing Facilities. Please click here to access the Training PPT.

On Thursday, August 7, MSCA Member facility, Alliance Health at Rosewood, hosted a press conference by Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton to highlight the Medicaid impact of the new federal “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”

On August 14, 2025, the EOHHS-led Viability and Sustainability of Long-term Care Facilities Task Force, established as part of the commonwealth’s 2024 landmark LTC reform law, issued its final report in regard to recommendations about the viability and sustainability of long-term care facilities.

On August 11, 2025, in a public hearing held by the Department of Public Health (DPH), Mass Senior Care (MSCA) testified in strong support of proposed regulations 105 CMR 775: Certified Medication Aides in Long Term Care Facilities.

Governor Maura Healey and Attorney General Andrea Campbell have issued important guidance for employers on immigration and work authorization, outlining employer rights for hiring and retaining an immigrant workforce.

• Mass Senior Care Testifies in Support of Proposed DPH Regulations for Certified Medication Aides • REMINDER: MassHealth Training Webinar on New Family Assistance Pathway for Nursing Facilities • Additional Fire Safety and Life Safety Requirement for ALRs • August Informal Dispute Resolution Meeting

• Senators Warren and Wyden Launch Probe Into UnitedHealth Group • Reminder: Certified Medication Aide Regulations Public Hearing Monday August 11th

• Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Federal DCC-Q Audit • MassHealth Training Webinar on New Family Assistance Pathway for Nursing Facilities • Congressman Seth Moulton Briefs Residents of Alliance Health at Rosewood