By Bob Katzen
Senate 38-2, approved a $532 million fiscal 2025 supplemental budget that includes $174 million for fiscally strained acute care hospitals and $35 million for community health centers facing financial challenges. The House has already approved a different version of the bill and a House-Senate conference committee will eventually draft a compromise version.
Other provisions in the Senate version include $134 million for the Medical Assistance Trust Fund; $400,000 for Women Infants and Children Program Manufacturer Rebates; $60 million for Home Care Services; $35 million for payments to fiscally strained community health centers; $42.9 million for Residential Assistance for Families in Transition; $4.2 million for the State Police Crime Laboratory; and $60 million for Home Care Services.
“Massachusetts has a healthcare ecosystem that is the envy of other states, and that doesn’t happen by accident,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “Supporting every resident is part of what it means to be a leader in healthcare access. This funding will help our hospitals and community health centers provide high-quality care in every region, no matter a patient’s insurance status, as well as provide critical services to our veterans, seniors and municipalities.”
“The Senate took action today on reconciling deficiencies of $532 million in the fiscal year 2025 budget, most notably providing $209 million in critical assistance to fiscally strained acute care hospitals and community health centers,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “The bill also allocates $134 million to the Medical Assistance Trust Fund, with the remaining $189 million to responsible bill-paying obligations across a broad range of state agencies and programs. We’re fortunate that the commonwealth is in strong financial condition to meet these responsibilities, never more important than now in these continuing uncertain times.”
“My primary reason for voting no on this supplemental budget is that it includes a policy initiative allowing electric utility providers to increase rates to seemingly expand electric charging stations, and does so without requiring a response from the Department of Public Utility which oversees these rate hikes,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). “When the final bill is negotiated, I hope this is removed, thus allowing me to support it. Rate payers are being hit every which way, and I simply will not support more cost increases on families for higher electric rates, or subsidies for electric vehicle infrastructure when the market doesn’t support it.”
(A “Yes” vote is for the $532 million supplemental budget. A “No” vote is against it.)
Sen. Patricia Jehlen Yes