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Advocacy News state legislation

FY2027 BUDGET AMENDMENT JUSTIFICATION

Sent to the Joint Ways and Means on March 1, 2026 Download the FY2027 Budget Amendment Justification Recommendation (docx) or the FY2027 Budget Amendment Justification Recommendation (pdf). Introduction Re: Aligning the Impacts of Aging and Caregiving with the FY 2027 General Appropriations Bill (H.2) Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on the FY […]

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News Study Session

Study Session: Protecting SNAP Nutrition Benefits for Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities

April 10, 2026 Presented by Pat Baker, Senior Economic Justice Advocate, Mass Law Reform Institute This 1 hour webinar covered the July 2025 cuts to SNAP benefits as a result of the GOP”s “Big Beautiful Bill” – including eligibility cuts to legal immigrants, imposition of work rules on persons age 55- 65, additional verification burdens […]

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Advocacy News Study Session

Study Session: Using AI as an Advocacy Tool

April 1, 2026: A Tutorial in the Use of Artificial Intelligence Applications by Advocates Presented: James Lomastro, PhD, Chair , DignityMA FacilitiesWorkgroup and Coordinating Committee Member What AI does for advocates: This session will review basic concepts and techniques appropriate for any skill level. Download the slide deck: Using AI as an Advocacy Tool (pptx) […]

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Facilities Long Term Services and Support News Spotlight

2026-03-31 Spotlight: Are Nursing Homes Lying About Their Patients To Increase Profits? You Decide

Are Nursing Homes Lying About Their Patients To Increase Profits? You DecideForbes, March 27, 2026By Peter Ubel The Forbes article by Peter Ubel, titled “Are Nursing Homes Lying About Their Patients To Increase Profits? You Decide,” explores a contentious trend in the skilled nursing facility (SNF) industry following major shifts in federal reimbursement policies. With […]

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Advocacy Aging Home and Community Based Long Term Services and Support state legislation

Policy: Save ECOP Services

Problem Last June, Governor Healey capped the ECOP ( Enhanced Community Options Program) at 7,322 from 9,000. Once the cap is reached, new enrollees are put on a waiting list. Requiring frail elders to wait months for home care will inevitably lead to many developing worse health problems and ending up in nursing homes, said […]

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Home and Community Based News Spotlight Worker Support

2026-03-23 Spotlight: Caregiver Tax Credits Overdue

Caregiver tax credits are overdue *Salem News, March 23, 2026 There is a reckoning coming. Massachusetts, like the rest of the country, is growing older. While it is certainly good news that Bay State residents are living longer lives, the uncomfortable, inevitable fact remains that with longevity comes infirmity. Older residents require more medical care, and […]

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Advocacy Home and Community Based News Spotlight

2026-03-10 Spotlight: To Make Cuts, State Asks Those Affected

To make cuts, state asks those affected *Boston GlobeMarch 8, 2026, By Jason Laughlin Summary: Facing a significant fiscal cliff driven by federal Medicaid spending reductions, Massachusetts is implementing $32 million in cuts to its 50-year-old Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program, which currently supports approximately 56,000 seniors and people with disabilities. In a unique move […]

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Advocacy Awards and Events News

Dignity Day at the State House

March 5, 2026 Topics Speakers Video Photos

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Federal Legislation News Study Session

Study Session: Introduction to the Nursing Home Staffing Resource Center

Nursing Home Staffing Resource Center Long Term Care Community Connection (LTCCC)Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.Presented by Richard Mollot, Executive Director, LTCCC The Nursing Home Staffing Resource Center created and managed by the Long-Term Care Community Coalition’s “NursingHome411” platform) serves as a central hub for data, advocacy tools, and regulatory updates focused on […]

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Facilities Home and Community Based Housing News Spotlight

2026-02-17 Spotlight: A long journey home: Hundreds of disabled people have new homes

A long journey home: Hundreds of disabled people have new homes thanks to court settlement WGBH NewsBy Megan SmithFebruary 12, 2026 Summary:Following a landmark 2024 settlement of a federal lawsuit against Massachusetts, at least 350 disabled individuals have successfully transitioned from nursing homes to community-based housing, with the state aiming to assist 2,400 more over […]

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