Statement from Tim Foley, 1199SEIU Executive Vice President, on Approval of MassHealth 1115 Waiver

September 28, 2022

Quincy, MA

“The healthcare workers of 1199SEIU congratulate the Baker Administration on the approval of the new MassHealth Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver, which will help maintain quality care in communities across the Commonwealth. 

The waiver centers equity in healthcare with the redesign of the Safety-Net Care Pool and the restructuring of related rate payments to community and safety-net hospitals. It judiciously targets Massachusetts’ financially struggling providers, who care for some of our most vulnerable patients, with an investment of over $600 million. The new waiver also continues to promote the Accountable Care Organization (ACO) incentive program, maintains the successful Flexible Services Program, proposes critical new housing supports, and creates a $500 million health equity incentive program for ACO-participating hospitals. These essential reforms ensure that the MassHealth 1115 waiver helps reduce health disparities and addresses social determinants of health. 

Federal approval is a result of the leadership and commitment of the Baker administration and the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association. 1199SEIU looks forward to working with the current and new administration, MHA, and other stakeholders to maintain good healthcare jobs and strengthen quality care across Massachusetts.” 

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About 1199SEIU 
Representing over 70,000 healthcare workers throughout Massachusetts and over 450,000 workers across the East Coast, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. Our mission is to achieve affordable, high quality healthcare for all. 1199SEIU is part of the 2 million member Service Employees International Union. 

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