On Thursday, June 3, members of the Community Connection Healthcare (CCH) Management Team attended AFC Awareness Day at the Massachusetts State House in Boston. Hosted by the Massachusetts Council for Adult Foster Care (MCAFC), the event was designed to educate legislators and their staff about the vital role Adult Foster Care (AFC) plays in supporting individuals and families across the Commonwealth.
Featured speakers included:
- Representative Michael Kushmerek
- Representative Tom Stanley, House Chair of Aging and Independence
- Allison Stanton, Councils on Aging and Independence
- Senator Pat Jehlen, Senate Chair of Aging and Independence
- Tony Russo, AFC caregiver and parent of two children with disabilities
More than 250 attendees participated in the event and were organized into groups to meet with state representatives and senators. Their goal was to educate lawmakers and advocate for support of S.1938/H.3159 – An Act Supporting Family Caregivers, which includes:
Key Provisions of S.1938/H.3159
1. Comprehensive Caregiver Legislation
- Consolidates and expands upon previous caregiver-related bills.
- Includes language from prior legislative sessions’ proposal, “An Act Allowing Spouses to Serve as Caregivers.”
2. Major Components
- A respite services voucher program providing up to $1,500 for eligible family caregivers (income limits: $135,000 individual / $250,000 household).
- A refundable tax credit of up to $1,500 for caregiving-related expenses, including:
- Home modifications
- Medical equipment
- Transportation
- Home care assistance
- Workplace protections for family caregivers against employment discrimination.
- Authorization for spouses to be compensated as MassHealth caregivers.
- Creation of an Advisory Council on Family Caregiving.
3. Bill Sponsors
- Senate: Senator Joanne Comerford
- House: Representative Michael Kushmerek
4. Legislative Status
- Senate bill: Currently in the Joint Committee on Revenue.
- House bill: Currently in the House Rules Committee.
Home Care Advocacy Efforts
Leading up to AFC Awareness Day, several members of the CCH Management Team contacted their state representatives and senators to advocate for support of Amendments #562 and #507, which seek to clarify the rate-setting process for Home Health and Home Care Services within the final FY27 budget.
Because the Senate is not adding outside sections to the budget that pertain to standalone bills, the Massachusetts Home Care Aide Council will now focus its efforts on encouraging House Ways and Means to release the legislation for a vote by the full House.
The Importance of Adult Foster Care
Adult Foster Care is a critical component of the Commonwealth’s Community First strategy and remains one of the few community-based options available to MassHealth members who require around-the-clock support and supervision.
Most AFC participants meet an institutional level of care. However, supporting individuals in an AFC setting typically costs the Commonwealth approximately half the cost of nursing facility care. Today, more than 18,000 MassHealth members across Massachusetts participate in AFC programs.
Home health care agencies such as Community Connection Healthcare play a vital role in the success of AFC by:
- Assessing members’ care needs
- Developing individualized care plans
- Ensuring caregiver qualifications
- Verifying home safety standards
- Providing ongoing clinical guidance and support
Our multidisciplinary team of nurses, care managers, and support staff works closely with caregivers to help them manage complex medical conditions and behavioral challenges, enabling members to remain safely in their homes and communities.
