Mass. disability commission hearing spotlights data, MassHealth incentives and rehabilitation access gaps

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities brought together state officials, health-plan leaders, clinicians and advocates on a hybrid panel to discuss persistent health inequities for people with disabilities and steps several speakers said are needed to close those gaps.

The hearing, moderated by Eman Guzien Saiedi, executive director of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities, featured testimony on three principal topics: MassHealth’s Quality and Equity Incentive program and its push to standardize self‑reported disability data; limits on inpatient rehabilitation access driven by the federal “three‑hour” rule; and practical access barriers such as inaccessible equipment and gaps in provider training.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health and MassHealth representatives described current programs intended to improve equity and data collection. Nasara Nicola, deputy director for Access and Inclusion in the Department of Public Health’s Office of Health Equity and Community Engagement, said DPH now treats people with disabilities as a priority population in its strategic plan and is working to disaggregate data by disability status. She cited results from a 2023 Community Health Equity Survey showing people with disabilities were up to twice as likely to struggle to pay for basic needs and about three times as likely to lack stable housing.

Eric (MassHealth deputy director), speaking for MassHealth, outlined the Quality and Equity Incentive program established under MassHealth’s demonstration waiver for 2022–2027.…