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Learn more about the Executive Office of Health & Human Services commissions that are examining important issues pertaining to the Commonwealth.
The Taxonomy Commission was established in August 2018, with Governor Baker’s signing into law of chapter 208 of the Acts of 2018. The commission is charged with recommending a taxonomy of licensed behavioral health clinical specialties that may be used by insurance carriers to develop a provider network, and to recommend a process that may be used by carriers to validate a licensed behavioral health clinician’s specialty. The commission is comprised of the Undersecretary of Health and Human Services, who chairs the commission, and a diverse panel of public health professionals, clinicians, and insurance carrier representatives.
The Harm Reduction Commission was established in August 2018, with Governor Baker’s signing into law of chapter 208 of the Acts of 2018. The commission is charged with reviewing and making recommendations regarding harm reduction opportunities to address substance use disorder. The commission is comprised of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, who chairs the commission, and a diverse panel of policymakers, public health professionals, legal scholars, clinicians, and local residents.
The Recovery Coach Commission was established in August 2018, with Governor Baker’s signing into law of chapter 208, section 101, of the Acts of 2018. The commission is charged with gathering data, reviewing training opportunities for recovery coaches and recommending the standards for credentialing a recovery coach. The commission is chaired by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and is comprised of a diverse panel of policymakers, public health professionals, legal scholars, clinicians, and local residents.
The Special Commission to Study Pancreatic Cancer was designated to the Executive Office of Health and Human Services in August 2018, with Governor Baker’s signing into law of chapter 154 of the Acts of 2018. The commission is charged with identifying areas of unmet need in pancreatic cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as providing recommendations for additional legislation or support to meet these needs. The commission is comprised of the Undersecretary of Health and Human Services and a diverse panel of agency leadership, legislators, clinicians, health care providers, patient advocates, caregivers, and survivors.
The Community Behavioral Health Promotion and Prevention Commission was established in August 2018 with Governor Baker’s signing into law of chapter 208, section 1 of the Acts of 2018. The commission is charged with working to promote positive mental, emotional and behavioral health and early intervention for persons with a mental illness, and to prevent substance use disorders among residents of the Commonwealth. The commission is chaired by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and is comprised of a diverse panel of policymakers, public health professionals, legal experts, and clinicians appointed by the Governor.
In August 2014, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts enacted landmark legislation Ch. 226 of the Acts of 2014, the “Autism Omnibus Law”. The statute established the Autism Commission as a permanent entity and is comprised of 35 members. The Commission is charged with making recommendations on policies impacting individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and individuals with Smith-Magenis syndrome.
The Section 35 Commission was established in August 2018 with Governor Baker’s signing into law of chapter 208 of the Acts of 2018. The commission is charged with: studying the efficacy of involuntary inpatient treatment for individuals diagnosed with substance use disorder; and evaluating and developing a proposal for a consistent statewide standard for the medical review of individuals who are involuntarily committed due to an alcohol or substance use disorder pursuant to section 35 of chapter 123 of the General Laws. The commission is chaired by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and is comprised of a diverse panel of policymakers, public health professionals, legal scholars, clinicians, and local residents.
The Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness (ICHH) was convened by Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito in October of 2015. The ICHH is co- chaired by Secretary Sudders and Secretary Kennealy and consists of Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries and Commissioners of the executive branch of state government.
On April 12, 2017, Governor Charles D. Baker signed Executive Order 576 establishing the Governor’s Council to Address Aging in Massachusetts. The Council will develop a plan to promote healthy aging in Massachusetts, and to achieve the goal of making the Commonwealth the most age-friendly state for people of all ages. Older adults are the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population and will make up 23% of the Commonwealth’s population by 2035.
The Mass HIway is a secure statewide network that facilitates the transmission of healthcare data and health information among providers, hospitals, and other healthcare entities as allowed by applicable state and federal laws
In 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court rendered a decision in Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999), indicating that states have a legal obligation to administer programs and activities in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals with disabilities.The Olmstead decision, and subsequent Department of Justice guidance, recognized that a state may satisfy this obligation through development of a comprehensive, effectively working plan for placing qualified persons with disabilities in less restrictive settings. These plans are known as Olmstead Plans. The Commonwealth’s current Olmstead Plan was finalized in 2008.
The Alzheimer’s Advisory Council was established in August 2018 when Governor Baker signed Chapter 220 of the Acts of 2018 into law. The Council is charged with advising the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and the Legislature on Alzheimer’s disease policy. The Council is comprised of the Secretary of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs and a diverse panel of public health professionals, clinicians, health care providers, researchers, legislators, dementia advocates, and caregivers.
The Nursing Facility Task Force was established in July 2019 with Governor Baker’s signing into law of Chapter 41, Section 91 of the Acts of 2019. The Task Force is charged with evaluating ways to ensure the financial stability of skilled nursing facilities; considering the role of skilled nursing facilities within the continuum of elder care services; and addressing current workforce challenges. The Task Force is chaired by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and is comprised of a diverse panel of policymakers, medical professionals, experts on long-term care and aging policy, and representatives from skilled nursing facilities appointed by the Governor.
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