House passes $2.25 billion FY2025 supplemental; adopts hospital-assessment amendment and limits sheriff funding pending IG review

The Massachusetts House of Representatives during a floor session approved House Bill 4601, a $2.25 billion supplemental appropriations bill for fiscal year 2025, and adopted Amendment 70, which raises hospital assessments and directs a $50 million transfer from the Commonwealth Care Trust Fund to the Health Safety Net.

Representative Michael Wits of Boston, speaking on the floor, described the measure as an effort to close the fiscal year: "This $2,250,000,000 supplemental budget will close the books on fiscal year 2025," he said, adding that the bill has a net cost to the Commonwealth of $750,000,000.

The supplemental contains a mix of deficiency funding and new allocations aimed at covering shortfalls and targeted programs. Representative Lawn of Watertown, who offered Amendment 70 on the House floor, said the plan "delivers the critical relief necessary to prevent that crisis, ensuring stability for providers who care for our most vulnerable patients, and preserving access to care." The amendment was adopted by roll call, 146 in the affirmative and 8 in the negative, with the clerk recording that the amendment was "adopted with change."

Key spending and policy items described on the floor include: a gross increase of $1,670,000,000 (net $303,000,000) for MassHealth to close out…