Baker-Polito Administration Announces Further Support, Resources, and Accountability Measures for Nursing Facilities, Funding for Congregate Care Facilities During COVID-19

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Further Support, Resources, and Accountability Measures for Nursing Facilities, Funding for Congregate Care Facilities During COVID-19

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced a second round of funding up to $130 million for nursing facilities to support COVID-19 response efforts over the next two months, as well as increased funding of $44 million for residential congregate care service providers. This funding will support staffing costs, infection control and personal protective equipment (PPE). In addition to increased financial support, the administration has implemented required testing for staff and residents of nursing facilities.

Additional Support Services: The Commonwealth will offer support for temporary staffing assistance for all nursing homes in need. This includes clinical response teams of 120 nurses and CNAs deployed in teams of 10 during emergency situations, crisis management support and deployment of the Massachusetts National Guard. These efforts will be supported by a centralized infection control performance improvement center established by the Massachusetts Senior Care Association.

Increased Financial Support for Nursing Facilities: The administration is releasing a second round of funding for two months for nursing homes that meet specific requirements and accountability measures. The funding is dependent on required COVID-19 testing of all staff and residents, regular infection control audits, appropriate allocation of funding and the public release of facility performance and funding use.

  

Further details about this second round of funding available for nursing facilities include:

• Required Testing: Facilities must test all staff and residents, and report results to the state. Facilities are also encouraged to identify and pursue testing avenues with area hospitals, EMS or other providers. The state’s mobile testing program is available for those facilities unable to set up testing. 

• In-person Clinical Audits: All nursing facilities will be regularly audited in-person for infection control and accountability, and each will receive a baseline audit during the first two weeks of May. These clinical audits will be conducted using a 28-point Infection Control Checklist, based on DPH, CDC and industry guidance. This checklist includes infection control, PPE supply and usage, staffing, clinical care, and communication requirements.

Facilities will be scored into three ratings: in adherence (green), in adherence but warrants inspection (yellow) and not in adherence (red).

• Funding Accountability: Funding release is dependent on accountability measures, including audit ratings and appropriate funding allocation. Facilities must use this funding for staffing, infection control, PPE and other supports that directly benefit staff, including hotels for staff retention and infection control.

• Staffing Supports: The Commonwealth will provide temporary staffing assistance to all nursing homes during the COVID-19 public health crisis, including clinical rapid response teams to provide urgent, short-term staffing for facilities in need, crisis management experts, and the deployment of the Massachusetts National Guard to aid with logistical, environmental and other supports. The state will also contract with staffing agencies to support facilities that are otherwise unable to access staffing agencies.

• Infection Control Performance Improvement Center: The Massachusetts Senior Care Association and Hebrew Senior Life, in coordination with other industry providers, will lead an infection control performance improvement center to ensure accountability and provide assistance to facilities that are struggling with infection control capability. The performance improvement center will provide infection control protocols and trainings and PPE supply chain and management support, as well as identify, triage and provide infection control specialist support and intervention.

• Public Reporting: All performance measures and funding use will be publicly reported using a mandatory reporting template, and the Commonwealth will provide consolidated information in the testing completion status by facility, COVID-19 case counts and mortality of staff and residents, and audit results. These reports will be due shortly after June 30, and the Commonwealth will then compile and deliver a public report.

Read more.

Increased Support for Residential Congregate Care Service Providers: The administration is providing a second phase of increased funding – $44 million – across purchase of service residential congregate care service providers during the COVID-19 outbreak. This funding builds on the $95 million in increased funding announced on March 30, bringing the total funding for these providers to $139 million, and will support increased staffing costs, infection control and PPE.

To mitigate many residential congregate care service providers’ expenses related to the COVID-19 surge, Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) agencies will increase the monthly reimbursement for May and June services for an additional 15%, in addition to the previously announced 10% increase. Further support to address provider needs during the surge include mobile COVID-19 testing expansion and coordination with MEMA to provide PPE to providers.

EOHHS agencies work with 238 residential service providers throughout the Commonwealth to ensure the health and well-being of over 20,500 individuals reflecting diverse populations, including children, youth and families, and individuals with physical, cognitive, emotional, behavioral health, intellectual and developmental disabilities and survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

全美亞裔總商會敦促亞裔企業及早準備 CARES法案新一輪貸款資金4月27開始受理申請

(ACE 訊)特朗普總統(Donald Trump)已簽署《薪資保障計劃和醫療保健增強法案》，批准再撥款約4,840億美元，支持薪資保障計劃（Paycheck Protection Program - PPP）， “經濟傷害災難貸款計劃（EIDL）”，以及醫院等。小企業管理局(SBA)將從4月27日起接受申請。全美亞裔總商會(ACE)呼籲亞裔企業不要錯過這第二輪資金發放。

新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)在美國造成嚴重疫情以來，美國所有企業都遭受重大打擊，共和、民主兩黨領導和特朗普總統政府合作，特地制定了薪資保障計劃（Paycheck Protection Program - PPP）， “經濟傷害災難貸款計劃（EIDL）”，並在第一輪資金3,490億元用罄後，立即協商，批准撥出第二輪資金，總額4,840億美元，其中除了3,100億美元用於“薪資保障計劃（CARES Act小企業貸款計劃）”之外，特地指定600億美元撥給規模較小的金融機構，以確保少數民族和服務水平較低地區也能順利獲得貸款，另外指定600億美元撥給小型企業管理局（SBA），用於辦理經濟傷害和災難貸款（EIDL）計劃。

這第二輪資金將在美國東部時間4月27日(週一)早上10點半開始，繼續接受已獲批准的貸款人(銀行等)代表符合資格的借款人申請PPP或EIDL貸款。小企業管理局將確保系統編碼正確，並說明法規更新內容。小企業管理局也鼓勵所有已獲批准的貸方，先處理之前已收到的符合資格借款人所提貸款申請，並迅速分配資金。

符合資格並有意借款的企業，應經由已獲批准的貸方辦理申請PPP，並仔細檢查PPP法規、指南，備妥貸款所需的各項證明文件。EIDL則可自行上網申請。

全美亞裔總商會為確保在第一輪援助方案推出時，沒趕得及提出申請的亞裔企業，在第二輪撥款時不會錯過，特地呼籲亞裔企業關注美國財政部和SBA 《薪資保障計劃和醫療保健增強法案》具體措施。查詢詳情可上網www.sba.gov，或www.treasury.gov，

全美亞裔總商會首席執行官董繼玲表示:「由於疫情的影響，各界都殷切需求資金，全美亞裔企業在申請4月27日開始受理的新一輪貸款資金時，必須迅速行動  」。她也說，許多亞裔企業主的母語不是英語，ACE特地做了一個簡單易懂的多語網站，幫助他們更容易地從眾多計劃和服務中找到對他們最有幫助的項目。該網站以中文、日文、韓文、泰文和越南文提供相關訊息。其他網頁則包括聯邦，以及州、市地方政府針對 COVID-19 所提供的紓困方案鏈接，以及由行業協會、非營利機構、基金會和各大企業提供的小型企業援助計劃。查詢網址包括www.nationalace.org， www.acesmallbusiness.org。

全美亞裔總商會董事表示：「國會撥出額外資金後，企業及數千萬工人將從這重大救濟中受益。由於薪資保障計劃（PPP）” 等援助方案的第一輪貸款資金推出甫2週餘，3,490億元瞬即用罄，我們預計薪資保障計劃等的第二輪貸款資金，可能將在一星期，或更短時間之內用盡，請華裔商家儘快申請。」

中華企業協會會長林美蓮表示：「全美亞裔總商會和該會的全美各地商會，以及策略夥伴將盡可能地幫助所有企業從新型冠狀病毒所造成的困難中復甦。」

波市府將在3區找1000人做抗體檢測

               (Boston Orange編譯)波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)說，將和麻省總醫院(MGH)合作，找1000名居民驗血，看他們體內是否含有新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)抗體，藉以估算可能已暴露於病毒之下，卻無症狀者的百分比有多少。

               這驗血行動將集中在東波士頓，羅森岱爾(Roslindale)，以及多徹斯特(Dorchester)的一部分等這些疫情最嚴重的社區之一。研究人員已經開始為這活動招募參加者。這將是麻州之內規模最大的同類活動。

               麻省總醫院院長Peter L. Slavin博士表示，這項驗血活動的結果，將對”抗疫”戰爭提供極重要資訊。

               促成這驗血活動的背景因素是麻州各地政府官員都想這場危機的規模，以及得做些甚麼來讓企業重新經營有點概念。

               尚莫維爾(Somerville)市府官員週一(27日)計畫宣佈，即使一些居民沒症狀，也檢測看看他們是否感染了病毒。麻州政府則是正在做追蹤已知患者曾經接觸過那些人，以期預防更進一步的傳染。

               麻州今日的新型冠狀病毒數據是新增1590宗確診病例，累計54,938宗；新增死亡人數169，累計2,899。

               這是近兩週來，新增確診人數最少的一天，不過檢測數目也比之前稍微減少了一些，只有9,255人。

               在死亡者中，有1,632人是長照機構的院民或員工，佔所有死亡者的56%。全州至少各有1宗病例的長照機構有303所。確診人數及員工，超過1萬人。

               波士頓市截至26日的新型冠狀病毒確診人數已高達8,159，死亡人數302。波士頓市長馬丁華殊認為統一檢測是讓地方經濟恢復正常的先決條件。

               抗體檢測和傳統的病毒檢測不同，是要尋找人體免疫系統為因應病毒所產生，在痊癒後仍留在人體中的抗體。

               目前還不知道，有新型冠狀病毒抗體的人，是否就可以免於重新感染。有些科學家已經在擔心為這病毒研發的抗體檢測是否可靠。

               不過公共衛生當局希望像波士頓這樣的檢測項目，可以幫助他們謀劃因應對策，因為那結果可能給出一個指標，有多少人曾經得過COVID-19，但只有一些，或者沒症狀。

               麻州總醫院表示，在波士頓的抗體研究是麻州內同類活動中規模最大的，不過其它市鎮可能很快跟著做。

               本月稍早，麻省總醫院研究員在雀喜市(Chelsea)已經做了一個規模較小的研究，發現200名在街頭接受測試的居民，有三分之一體內有和COVID-19相關的抗體。

               在波士頓特定地區進行的這檢測，將從自願參加的波士頓居民中隨機選樣，給他們同時做COVID-19病毒檢測及抗體檢測。

               根據波士頓市政府，不會向參加檢測者收費。估計週五可以完成這一檢測。

               哈佛大學陳曾熙公衛學院流行病學教授Michael Mina博士表示，他對只包括有限區域所做的檢查能夠讓人學到什麼，感到懷疑。

               他說，一次性的迅速檢測能給我們所需的一些資訊，至少讓我們知道，在這些社區中疫情多嚴重，但是在做了這些檢測之後，除了在這些低收入及貧窮地區曾經有很多傳染個案之外，還讓我們處於不知道如何詮釋的處境。

               他說，以這檢測規模來說，不會真正的證明這些社區是傳染熱點。

               他說，”我擔心這些社區會被汙名化。

               轄區包括東波士頓的波士頓市議員Lydia Edwards則說，她希望這研究能有助於防範第二波感染。她說結果會增加社區人們對”即使你沒有任何症狀，你在傳播疾病”的警覺性。

尚莫維爾(Somerville)市長Joseph A. Curtatone週一宣佈了一個檢測，追蹤個案的新系統，包括對未住院但帶有病毒的人，使用遙距數位健康監測設備。該市一直和劍橋健康聯盟合作，為全市居民提供檢測，不論他們是否劍橋健康聯盟的患者。

               他說，有興趣做檢測的居民應該打電話給劍橋健康聯盟，看看他們是否有醫學上的需要。他的目標是要讓沒有症狀的居民也可以做檢測，好讓他的政府能夠了解在他的社區中疫情爆發情況，特別是在那些低收入，弱勢人群中的情況。

麻州重新開放路途仍遙 4/25死亡人數已2730

               (Boston Orange 編譯) 麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)4月25日說，5月4日是否解除”居家令”，保持社交安全距離等忠告，或讓企業恢復營業，要看新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)傳染情況是否已有改善。4月25日，麻州又新增174人死亡，累計已2730人，確診總人數已達5萬3348，情況並不樂觀。

                        麻州公共衛生廳這天公佈的各項數據，包括新增確診人數2,379，已住院人數3,847，佔確診總人數的7%，其中1,058人在重症病房。另外有11.632人今天做了病毒檢測，累計麻州已有226,845人做過檢測。

                   麻州官員表示，在2730名死亡者中，約有1530人是頤養院，長照機構住民。

            查理貝克說，要讓企業重新開門經營，先得看到因為新型冠狀病毒住院的人數降低，其次是要訂製規矩。下星期應該可以做更多討論。

                     4月21日星期二時，查理貝克下令所有公私立學校整個學年都得關門，大多數的托兒中心也得關到六月底。喬治亞(Georgia)，奧克拉荷馬(Oklahoma)，以及阿拉斯加(Alaska)等地州長，在維持社交安全距離辦法之際，已開始放鬆對企業的規範。

              該做法已在關心封城對經濟衝擊的地方領袖之間引發爭論。醫療專家也警告現在恢復正常活動還太早。

                根據約翰霍普金斯大學數據，4月25日週六這天，全球的新型冠狀病毒確診人數已約289萬人，死亡人數超過20萬，其中美國的死亡人數已超過5萬3000人。一般相信，實際數目應該更高。

              麻州州長查理貝克這天到東長草地(East Longmeadow)視察現在每週生產5萬個塑膠護面罩，捐贈給醫院的Cartamundi games 製造廠。麻州副州長白莉朵(Karyn Polito) ，Hasbro公司董事長John Frascotti，以及聯邦眾議員，也是眾議院財政預算委員會主席的Richard Neal也都在場。

             美國國會在週四(4月23日)時才通過針對新型冠狀病毒疫情，撥款4840億美元，其中有一半指定經由”保護員工項目”，援助中小企業。1000億元給醫院及全國性的檢測項目，另外600億元撥給小企業行政局辦理貸款及發放補助款。

上週才30人死亡 貝爾蒙護理之家再傳49死訊

(Boston Orange 編譯) 貝爾蒙(Belmont)護理之家週五(4/24) 在發給家屬的電郵中說，49名院民死於新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)。

該機構行政主管管理Stewart Karger表示，另有67名院民，73名員工確診，但其中很多人並沒有感染病毒的症狀。

她說，每一名逝去的病人都是某人的世界中心，他們的過世，代表著無以彌補的損失。他們都為這些院民的家屬感到心碎。

靠近Beaver溪保留地的該機構，上週才傳出30名院民死於新型冠狀病毒噩耗。

在新型冠狀病毒疫情發生時，有135張長照病床的該機構，已幾乎有百分之八十到九十的院民感染了。

這家由家族經營的機構，目前仍然維持滿額員工。大部分病毒檢測陽性，但沒有症狀的員工，已隔離了10天再回去工作。

有症狀的員工則在症狀消失後，得等至少3天，並且在症狀首度出現後，至少7天，才能回去工作。

麻州以及全美各地，護理之家，復健中心，以及其他長照機構被新型冠狀病毒打擊得最嚴重。週二時，麻州內在頤養院死於新型冠狀病毒的人數，已超過1000。

Stewart Karger表示，該機構員工十分小心地觀察院民，並迅速處理病毒症狀。他們在新型冠狀病毒檢測陽性的一些院民身上，看到一些令人鼓舞的跡象。但無論如何，這是個需要人持續警覺的時候，尤其是老年人及虛弱人口最需要人關注。該院將繼續聚焦於讓院民恢復健康。

Joint Statement by SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza and Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin on the Resumption of the Paycheck Protection Program 

WASHINGTON – Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration Jovita Carranza and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin issued the following statement today on the resumption of the Payroll Protection Program (PPP):

“We are pleased that President Trump has signed into law the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, which provides critical additional funding for American workers and small businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.  We want to thank Leader McConnell, Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader McCarthy for working with us on a bipartisan basis to ensure that the Paycheck Protection Program is funded so that small businesses can keep hardworking Americans on the payroll.

“The Small Business Administration will resume accepting PPP loan applications on Monday, April 27 at 10:30AM EDT from approved lenders on behalf of any eligible borrower.  This will ensure that SBA has properly coded the system to account for changes made by the legislation.

“The PPP has supported more than 1.66 million small businesses and protected over 30 million jobs for hardworking Americans.  With the additional funds appropriated by Congress, tens of millions of additional workers will benefit from this critical relief.

“We encourage all approved lenders to process loan applications previously submitted by eligible borrowers and disburse funds expeditiously.  All eligible borrowers who need these funds should work with an approved lender to apply.  Borrowers should carefully review PPP regulations and guidance and the certifications required to obtain a loan.

“The Trump Administration is fully committed to ensuring that America’s workers and small businesses continue to get the resources they need to get through this challenging time.”

For more information on the Paycheck Protection Program, visit: sba.gov/paycheckprotection.

波士頓餐廳將可出售生鮮雜貨及紙品

波士頓市長馬丁華殊放寬餐管管理，準賣生鮮，雜貨。 (市長視頻) (Boston Orange 編譯)波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Martin J.Walsh）今(24)日下午宣佈，波士頓市將豁免銷售生食的零售食物許可，准許餐廳經由送貨，路邊提貨，外賣等方式，出售生鮮雜貨及紙品。 這一新的臨時政策及只南是由波士頓市長的經濟發展辦公室，檢驗局(ISD)，以及牌照局為波士頓制定的，將容許居民更容易獲得食物及民生必需品，也有助於維持社交安全距離準則。 波士頓市長也在推特上說明准許餐廳賣雜貨的新做法。              有意出售雜貨的餐廳必須遵守檢驗局列出的流程，提供產品資訊，包括食品過敏標籤及消費者保護法所規定的有關安全處理指示，身分聲明，成分聲明，食品製造商，包裝商，分銷商的企業名稱和地點，以及物品淨重，過敏原資訊等。 這些準則和COVID-19公共衛生緊急期間，FDA有關標籤和包裝的臨時政策同時存在。             此外，企業必須向波士頓牌照局提交一份運營計劃，詳細說明執行安全處理流程的計劃，以及將如何遵守ISD的準則。牌照局將審查每一份計劃，並基於COVID-19這臨時的衛生緊急狀況，發出准許銷售雜貨信函。餐廳在收到牌照局許可前，不准銷售雜貨。              波士頓市經濟發展辦公室製作了一份財務救濟手冊(Financial Relief Hanbook)，以及常見問答文件，並將不斷更新，以幫助企業主，員工在不斷發展中的COVID-19相關援助探索。              波士頓市經濟發展辦公室也將繼續在每週二下午三點，舉行小企業電話會議，提供最新政策消息，回答問題，介紹波士頓市相關部門，並就州，聯邦及私營企業可用資金狀態，為小企業排難除障。              波士頓市府還為受COVID-19，以及麻州非基本服務及居家令衝擊的餐食業製作了一些有用參考資源。 •在波士頓開業：讓必要企業公開分享他們還在開業的工具，並分享禮卡資訊，以及(如果有的話)他們用哪一家遞送/外賣服務公司。這指南可共居民使用，搜尋在他們居住的社區中有哪些企業還開門。 •支持波士頓餐廳：一個網頁，讓餐廳公開分享他們開業，分享禮物卡資訊，以及使用哪家遞送/外賣服務。 •外賣和遞送指南：在波士頓市已取消許可規定後，如何建立食物外賣和遞送服務的指南。 查詢以上資源，可上網boston.gov/small-business。有關檢驗局的衛生部門問題，可以發到ISDHealth@boston.gov或致電617-635-5326。有關波士頓市的COVID-19所有相關更新，請上網boston.gov/coronavirus。 MAYOR WALSH RELEASES GUIDANCE FOR RESTAURANTS ON SALE OF GROCERIES

BOSTON - Friday, April 24, 2020 - Building on his support of small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the City of Boston will allow permitted restaurants to sell grocery items via delivery, curbside pickup, and takeout by waiving the required Retail Food Permit for the sale of uncooked foods. The new temporary policy and guidance formed by the Mayor's Office of Economic Development, the Inspectional Services Department, and the Licensing Board for the City of Boston will improve access to food and essential items for residents, and help ensure social distancing guidelines continue to be upheld. "This is an unprecedented time for all of us in the City of Boston, and our administration is prioritizing how best to keep our residents safe and healthy, while also supporting our businesses and some of our City's most vulnerable residents," said Mayor Walsh. "By allowing restaurants to also sell grocery and other essential items, we can help address social distancing concerns in grocery stores while supporting restaurants and food businesses during these unprecedented times." Restaurants interested in selling groceries must follow procedures as outlined by the Inspectional Services Department, including making product information available pertaining to safe handling instructions, a statement of identity, an ingredient statement, the name and place of business of the food manufacturer, packer, or distributor, net quantity of contents, and allergen information required by the Food Allergen Labeling & Consumer Protection Act. These guidelines are concurrent with FDA temporary policy regarding labeling and packaging during the COVID-19 public health emergency.   In addition, businesses must submit an operational plan to the Boston Licensing Board detailing plans of implementing safe handling procedures and how they will comply with guidance from ISD. The Licensing Board will review each plan and issue correspondence allowing the sale of grocery items by the Licensee on a temporary basis given the COVID-19 health emergency. Restaurants are not permitted to sell grocery items before receiving approval from the Boston Licensing Board.  As business owners, employers, and employees navigate an evolving COVID-19-related assistance landscape, the Economic Development Office has created a Financial Relief Handbook and FAQ document, both of which are continuously updated. Small Business conference calls will continue every Tuesday at 3pm to communicate policy updates, answer questions, feature relevant City of Boston departments, and troubleshoot the ecosystem of funding available from the state, federal, and private industry.  The City of Boston has created a number of useful guides and resources for restaurants and food businesses impacted by COVID-19 and the Commonwealth's Non-Essential Services and 'Stay At Home' Order.  Open Businesses in Boston: a tool for essential businesses to publicly share that they're open, share gift-card information, and which (if any) delivery/take-out services they use. This guide is available for residents to utilize, and explore what local businesses are open in their neighborhoods.  Support Boston Restaurants: a web page for restaurants to publicly share that they're open, share gift-card information, and which (if any) delivery/take-out services they use. This guide is available for residents to utilize, and explore what local businesses are open in their neighborhoods.  Takeout and Delivery Guidebook: a guide on how to establish food takeout and delivery services now that the City of Boston has lifted licensing regulations.  The above resources and more industry-specific guidance are accessible on boston.gov/small-business. Questions to ISD's Health Department can be sent to ISDHealth@boston.gov or call 617-635-5326. For all City of Boston updates related to COVID-19, please visit boston.gov/coronavirus.

波士頓新聘JOHN DEMPSEY為消防局局長

MAYOR WALSH APPOINTS JOHN DEMPSEY AS COMMISSIONER OF THE BOSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

BOSTON - Friday, April 24, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the appointment of longtime Boston firefighter John (Jack) Dempsey as Commissioner of the Boston Fire Department. Commissioner Dempsey has served in the interim role of Commissioner since the retirement of former Commissioner Joe Finn last month. "I am proud to name Firefighter Jack Dempsey as the Commissioner of the Boston Fire Department," said Mayor Walsh. "He has dedicated his life in his professional career and personal capacity to promoting safety and wellness for firefighters, and I look forward to his continued leadership in this critically important department." Since taking leadership of the Boston Fire Department in March, Commissioner Dempsey has proactively prioritized the health and safety of firefighters during the COVID-19 pandemic by supplying firefighters with personal protective equipment, ensuring the frequent sanitation of firehouses, adjusting staffing levels to ensure social distancing, implementing mandatory training for infectious disease response, and more.  Commissioner Dempsey has been a member of the Boston Fire Department for 35 years, having served in multiple leadership capacities including most recently as Chief of Operations for the department, where he oversaw all division of the Boston Fire Department, including the engine company, fire prevention, ladder company, rescue company, safety and special operations, emergency planning and preparedness, training and personnel. In this role, he was the highest ranking uniformed firefighter in the force.  He also previously served for four years as the Boston Fire Marshal, where he managed the Fire Prevention Division which is responsible for all fire code and regulation enforcement. In that role, he also oversaw the operation of the fire investigation unit, construction safety unit and all inspections required by Massachusetts General Laws. "I am proud to be named the Commissioner of the Boston Fire Department, and want to thank Mayor Walsh for the opportunity to serve the residents of Boston in this role," said Commissioner Jack Dempsey. "As a lifelong member of the department, this is a tremendous honor for me, and I look forward to building on the strong foundations set to ensure the safety and well-being of our firefighters and our community."  Commissioner Dempsey has previously served in several other capacities including on the Board of Fire Prevention Regulations for four year, the Automatic Sprinkler Appeals Board for four years, the Walsh-Kennedy Commission on Hot Work, and the Construction Fire Safety Partnership. He is a current member of the Fire Service Advisory Council, and was instrumental in the development and implementation of the National Fire Protection Association's Hot Work Safety Certification Program.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES UNIVERSAL TESTING FOR COVID-19 FOR UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS IN BOSTON

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES UNIVERSAL TESTING FOR COVID-19 FOR UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS IN BOSTON

BOSTON - Friday, April 24, 2020 - Building on Boston's commitment to serving all homeless individuals in the city, Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the City of Boston will move forward with universal testing for COVID-19 (coronavirus) for all unhoused individuals in Boston. The City of Boston has secured an additional 1,000 tests, which will allow public health officials to test all clients in Boston's shelter system over the next two weeks. The efforts will be led by Boston's partners at Boston Health Care for the Homeless, in coordination with the Boston Public Health Commission, St. Francis House, and the Pine Street Inn. The tests are being donated by the Boston company Orig3n. "We continue to work every day to support our homeless population and the staff who serve them--with shelter, with care, with testing," said Mayor Walsh. "This is a big step forward in protecting our most vulnerable populations. Universal testing in Boston's homeless community is critical to allow us to provide individuals the targeted care they need. We will continue to work with our partners in government and the nonprofit community about the resources we need moving forward." As of Thursday, April 23, 1,340 individuals have been tested, and 453 homeless individuals who have been tested are positive, or 34 percent. All Boston Public Health Commission shelters remain open, and the City of Boston has been conducting widespread testing in this population. As testing is completed, individuals who are positive will go to get the care and support they need to recover. Individuals who are negative will be placed in designated areas to allow for better social distancing and help slow the spread of the virus. Since the start of the public health emergency caused by COVID-19, Boston has worked to protect its most at-risk populations, including homeless individuals. The City of Boston has added over 900 new beds all across the city to reduce the density in the city's shelters, and to treat homeless individuals who are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Boston Hope at the BCEC has 500 beds dedicated to the care of homeless individuals, and the City of Boston has built quarantine and treatment centers next to its largest shelters.  The City of Boston has also worked with its partners to create 172 beds at Suffolk University dorms to improve shelter spacing, and 70 beds at a former hospital on Commonwealth Avenue in Brighton. The City has also helped add 250 beds at Newton Pavilion, in partnership with the Boston Medical Center. In addition, there are 50 beds for veterans at a facility in Brighton, and Boston University has provided 75 rooms for Pine Street Inn staff.

Baker-Polito Administration Files Medicaid Waiver For MassHealth Flexibility, Provides Update On Launch Of New Unemployment System

Baker-Polito Administration Files Medicaid Waiver For MassHealth Flexibility, Provides Update On Launch Of New Unemployment System

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced new federal waiver requests to provide the state’s MassHealth program with more flexibility to respond to COVID-19, and provided an update on Massachusetts’ successful implementation of the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.

MassHealth Waiver Requests: Massachusetts is filing two waiver requests with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that will give the state and its Medicaid program, MassHealth, more flexibility to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency. If allowed, the waivers will build upon the two previously submitted waivers and enable MassHealth to deliver the most effective care to its members and support health care providers.

Through these waiver requests, the Commonwealth is seeking flexibility to address key areas of need:

• Expand Medicare telehealth coverage to include services provided by phone and video, to increase access to health care for seniors and individuals with disabilities without readily accessible video technology. This expansion is consistent with telehealth coverage currently provided by MassHealth and commercial plans.

• Allow MassHealth to waive the requirement that certain applicants and members spend down to qualify for coverage in cases of financial hardship.

• Extend retroactive coverage for individuals who qualify for MassHealth to allow individuals to be covered up to 90 days prior to submitting their application.

• Provide flexibility for federal provider payment limits to enable MassHealth to provide critical stabilization funds to health care providers.

• Ease provider requirements that could result in unnecessary administrative burdens or barriers to care.

PUA Unemployment System Launch: Earlier this week, Massachusetts became one of the first states in the nation to successfully implement the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program established by the federal CARES Act. This program provides benefits for individuals who do not qualify for traditional unemployment benefits, but have lost their jobs due to COVID-19.

The platform launched on April 20, 10 days ahead of the previously scheduled launch date. Since then, the PUA system has so far processed well over 100,000 claims, and benefit checks, which include an additional $600 as part of another federal CARES Act benefit implemented by the administration, are already being issued.

Visit www.mass.gov/pua to learn more and apply.