FACTS:

• Bill Overview: H.2408, An Act Relative to Staffing at Home Health and Hospice Agencies, would authorize the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) to expand existing Temporary Nurse Staffing (TNS) regulations to include home health and hospice providers.
• Current Gap: TNS caps and oversight currently apply to hospitals and skilled nursing facilities—but not to home health and hospice agencies.
• Core Issue: The growth of the TNS marketplace has led to high-cost contract staffing, creating financial strain for providers already operating under flat or constrained reimbursement rates.
• Legislative Status:
  • House bill granted an extension to mid-June by the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing.
  • Senate companion bill has been sent to study, which typically halts progress for the current session.
• Implications for Providers:
  • Without action, home health and hospice agencies remain excluded from protections that limit excessive staffing contract rates.
  • Workforce shortages and reliance on temporary staffing are expected to continue driving cost pressure.
• What Comes Next:
  • The extension allows continued discussion and stakeholder engagement in the House.
  • However, given Senate inaction, passage this session is unlikely, positioning the issue for potential reintroduction in a future legislative cycle.

Source:
Massachusetts General Court legislative activity (H.2408) and Committee on Health Care Financing actions; Alliance policy tracking and advocacy updates.