June 2025: Dignity Alliance Massachusetts welcomes ongoing discussions led by the Executive Office of Aging and Independence (AGE) regarding the future of Prescription Advantage and the best use of available resources to support older adults and people with disabilities. The Current State of Prescription Advantage in Massachusetts Federal reforms to Medicare prescription drug coverage have […]
Category: Policy
New Nursing Home Disclosure Requirements per Chapter 343 of the Acts of 2024 (pdf) January 2026 MassHealth’s new Disclosure Form for nursing homes is a comprehensive reporting document designed to increase transparency regarding the ownership, management, and financial structure of long-term care facilities. Based on regulatory updates and industry guidance from the Massachusetts Senior Care […]
Massachusetts is on a collision course with a predictable long-term care crisis, and we are flying blind. DignityMA offers a path forward for MA officials and legislators. Download Massachusetts at a Crossroads Report (pdf). Executive Summary: Facing a Predictable Crisis Massachusetts is on a collision course with a predictable long-term care crisis, and we are […]
Media Release Calls for Executive Action and Legislation to promote cooling for older adults and people with disabilities As another heat wave with temperatures in the nineties begins this week, Dignity Alliance Massachusetts is calling on state government to protect older adults and people with disabilities from the dangers of extreme heat. In a letter […]
Globe Reports on Assisted Living Residences Commission July 23, 2025: Boston Globe: Fall River fire prompts reconsideration of how Mass. regulates assisted living by Jason Laughlin and Kay Lazar. “The blaze at Gabriel House, which killed 10 people and sent around 30 to hospitals, is prompting a state commission to address questions raised by the […]
June 5, 2025 This DignityMA Study Session reviews the Trump Administration’s coordinated attack on disability rights, through the issuance of executive orders that eliminate legal claims and disability rights, rescind disability regulations, and challenge important disability precedents. Steven discussed strategies to oppose these efforts, particularly in light of the drastic reduction in civil rights enforcement […]
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 […]
Senior Care Policy Brief: Overbilling and Killing? Long Term Care Community CoalitionOctober 31, 2024 Overbilling and Killing? An Examination of the Skilled Nursing Industry is a new study on the extent to which some nursing homes manipulate the reimbursement system to maximize profits and the impact of these practices on both patient safety and the […]
Report to Congress, May 2024 AGING IN THE UNITED STATES: A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORKFOR A NATIONAL PLAN ON AGING by the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Health Aging and Age-friendly Communities, chaired by the Administration for Community Living The four domains of the strategic framework are: Age-Friendly Communities; Coordinated Housing and Support Services; Increased Access to Long-Term […]
On May 10, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule implementing a minimum staffing standard in nursing homes. The rule will require that nursing homes have a registered nurse on-site 24 hours per day, seven days per week, meet modest minimum staffing requirements, use evidence-based, data-driven methods when determining […]