February 20, 2025: On behalf of Dignity Alliance Massachusetts participants, I submit these comments in support of the state’s request that CMS waive all estate recovery requirements for all CommonHealth members in MassHealth’s 1115 Demonstration. Currently, many people who need the coverage and care offered under CommonHealth are afraid to apply because they worry about […]
Category: Advocacy
February 20, 2025: The following letter has been sent to the entire MA congressional delegation. Download the Opposition to Safety Net Cuts letter (pdf) to see the entire letter, with signatories (DignityMA included). “As Massachusetts state-wide and community-based organizations that serve low-income residents of the Commonwealth, we wish to thank the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation for […]
Thank you to the American Association of People with Disabilities for this article. Since taking office, President Trump has taken several actions attacking diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (often called “DEIA” or “DEI”) in the federal government. AAPD has put together this resource to provide an overview of what DEIA is, why DEIA efforts are essential for […]
By James A. Lomastro, PhDJanuary 2025 The emergence of Dignity Alliance Massachusetts (DignityMA) represents a significant evolution in the concept of honest brokers within healthcare systems. While traditional honest brokers typically strive for complete neutrality in mediating conflicts, DignityMA has pioneered a new approach that combines advocacy with intermediary functions, challenging conventional assumptions about the […]
April 16, 2025 : Boston Globe Update ‘I am trying my hardest to stay out of a nursing home.’ Mass. curtails lifeline helping elders remain independent. (pdf) by Kay Lazar. Cases of frail older adults in dire situations are mounting, advocates say. “Bockser is among a growing list of frail older adults in Massachusetts who […]
The correspondence below was sent on September 13, 2024. Read the full text with 27 footnotes. Correspondence to:Lucinda M. Baier, President, Chief Executive Officer, and DirectorBrookdale Senior Living, Inc.Christopher Christensen, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Executive Chairman Ensign Group, Inc.Stephen F. Flatt, Chief Executive Officer and Inside DirectorNational HealthCare, Corp. From:Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernard Sanders, […]
Statement of Senator Patricia Jehlen, Co-Chair, Joint Committee on Elder Affairs, regarding the passage of H 5033, the long-term care reform bill. This statement was made during the Senate session held on August 29, 2024. Sen. Jehlen of Somerville was recognized to speak remotely. Around a minute of silence passed before her voice came over […]
Governor Signs Long Term Care Legislation On September 26, Governor Maura Healey ceremonially signed milestone legislation reforming the long-term care sector in Massachusetts. On September 6, she officially signed into law H 5033, An Act to improve quality and oversight of long-term care, as Chapter 197 of the Acts of 2024. DignityMA released statement: Milestone […]
DignityMA hosted a webinar (watch below) to present information in support of the request to MassHealth to put aside the Request for Response (RFR) and engage in meaningful exploration with stakeholders to improve current systems on August 21. (Read more about the IAE) Spoiler Alert: At about 1:04:40 in the video, Mike Levine, EOHHS Assistant […]
Categories
Oversight of Nursing Homes
In addition to concerns on staffing and finances at nursing homes, which has led directly to neglect of residents, DignityMA is also perplexed at the seeming lack of oversight and enforcement from the state. Download, or scroll to read, a letter to the Commissioner of the MA Dept of Public Health, Robert Goldstein. The Provincetown […]