Massachusetts Asks Nursing Homes To Return Money Allocated for Aides’ Salaries

The Massachusetts Division of Health Care Finance and Policy is calling for 62 nursing homes in the state to repay $1.7 million in state funding that was provided to increase wages for nursing aides, citing results of a statewide audit released Sept. 9, the Boston Globe reports. The audit, part of a two-year, $40 million program to help nursing homes "attract and retain" nursing aides, found that 62 facilities did not provide the funds to aides as mandated. Nursing homes are required to return extra funds to the state, which can levy a 50% fine on facilities that "use the money inappropriately," the Globe reports. Some nursing homes have submitted additional financial information explaining how the money was spent, and they could be found in compliance, according to division spokesperson Heather Shannon. Members of the Service Employees International Union Local 285, which represents nursing aides and other health care workers, said that 14 of the nursing homes mentioned in the audit were "repeat offenders." Union President Celia Wcislo said, "Every year the nursing home industry comes crying to the state for money to improve the wages of certified nursing assistants, but far too many are pocketing the money for themselves." Scott Plumb, senior vice president of the Massachusetts Extended Care Federation, which represents more than 450 private, not-for-profit, and government-subsidized nursing homes, said that a majority of the facilities were "in compliance," according to the Globe. He said, "Lots of things that providers spend on (nurses' aides) like overtime and bonuses were not counted." Plumb called the program a success, noting that nurses aides' hourly wages increased 8.6% in 2001, and nursing aide vacancies in the state decreased from 15% to 12% in 2000 (Lewis, Boston Globe, 9/13).