Mass. disability commission subcommittee outlines LTSS, health equity goals and plans May roundtable

The Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities’ newly formed Long‑Term Services and Supports (LTSS) and Health Equity Subcommittee met virtually and approved its January minutes, adopted language asking researchers to include persons with disabilities in healthcare studies, reviewed draft goals for data collection and outreach, and set planning for a May roundtable-style event to brief stakeholders and the public.

The subcommittee, co‑chaired by Charlie Carr and Carl Richardson, said it will focus on collecting and analyzing data on accessibility, quality and sustainability of LTSS across Massachusetts, identifying geographic service “deserts,” compiling a public resource guide, and strengthening disability‑inclusive policy and service delivery in health care.

"We need to learn more about it and it would be great if we could have a speaker or two come and brief us about what the Health Equity Compact does and how it can complement the work that we're doing here," said Charlie Carr, legislative liaison for the Disability Policy Consortium and subcommittee co‑chair.

Why it matters: the panel flagged ongoing budget pressure at MassHealth and the potential effects on LTSS, and said lessons from pandemic-era “crisis standards of care” — including past reliance on quality‑adjusted life‑years guidance — show why disability inclusion in planning and research remains urgent.

The subcommittee approved two formal items during the meeting. Member Chris White moved to approve the January minutes, Oz Mandahar seconded, and the minutes were approved by voice vote. The body also voted to add language to the subcommittee task instructing the commission to "work with and encourage groups conducting health care research to be sure to include persons with disabilities in all research," a change proposed during the discussion and adopted by voice vote.

Members discussed holding a roundtable event — described as an open, conversational format rather than a formal panel — to bring the Health Equity Compact and other stakeholders together with state officials and disability advocates. The group proposed inviting a MassHealth official who is leading an LTSS savings working group (identified in the meeting as Leslie Dorsey/Darcy in the transcript) to brief the subcommittee; that working group will produce a report to the legislature due March 7, the meeting noted.

"There's a significant budget challenge at MassHealth," Carr said, and he asked to invite the staffer leading the LTSS savings work to explain the process and potential impacts on community‑based services. Several members urged that frontline clinicians and those who worked through the COVID crisis be invited to explain how crisis standards were applied and later changed.

The draft goals discussed at the meeting were: - Collect and analyze data on LTSS and health equity with an emphasis on disparities and geographic/service gaps (including rural and underserved areas). The subcommittee said it will seek existing secondary data and partner with organizations that can support research. - Develop a comprehensive, accessible resource guide listing state, federal and nonprofit LTSS resources (MassHealth services, home‑and‑community‑based services, independent living, nursing home options and advocacy organizations). - Strengthen disability‑inclusive policy and service delivery by identifying policy gaps, expanding stakeholder collaboration and promoting training to improve disability competence among healthcare providers.

Members suggested possible speakers and invitees for the roundtable, including representatives from the Health Equity Compact, state leadership (the meeting referenced Secretary Walsh), disability advocacy organizations, providers such as Spalding Rehabilitation Network (a member suggested Dr. Sherry Blowett), and employers in the healthcare and biotech sectors. Amanda, the staff coordinator, agreed to compile a list of potential invitees for follow‑up by email.

On timing, the subcommittee earmarked the May 19 meeting window as the target for the roundtable while noting May or June as alternatives to accommodate scheduling and outreach needs. Several members said invitations generally require six to eight weeks' lead time.

The subcommittee also discussed ongoing outreach and meeting formats used by related subcommittees, recommending that guest presentations and multiple stakeholder conversations be scheduled over the coming months to build knowledge and relationships. Members said they will work by email between meetings to finalize invite lists and logistics.

The meeting closed with a motion to adjourn and the group saying they will reconvene and continue planning offline ahead of the May meeting.