Dignity Alliance applauds the Department’s recognition that older adults and persons with disabilities who qualify for MassHealth have the right to be treated with dignity and respect as any other individuals. This can be best demonstrated in every person’s ability to choose to live in single-occupancy rooms in any skilled nursing facilities whether specialized or not.
Issue
This requirement is too vague when is states, “some of the new capacity is reserved.” We recommend that a minimum percentage of the capacity for patients supported through MassHealth such as stating that not less than eighty percent (80%) of the new capacity beds must be reserved.
In addition, we recommend that the applicant demonstrate that every resident will be offered and placed in a single-occupancy room with their own bathroom unless they, or their care representative, request a two-person room which has sufficient space to meet social distancing guidelines issued by the Department.