COFAR blog

Our two budget amendments aimed at preserving the Wrentham and Hogan Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs) for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities ultimately did not move forward in the Massachusetts state Senate during its debate last month on the Fiscal Year 2027 state budget.

This outcome was not unique; out of the 1,158 amendments filed to the Senate budget, more than half were either withdrawn or rejected. Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair Michael Rodrigues previously indicated that “there is not a ton of room for amendments” this budget cycle.

The amendments, 411 and 555, filed by Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr and Senator Becca Rausch, would have altogether affirmed a right to care at Wrentham and Hogan for persons found to be eligible for ICF-level care, required the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to report on its efforts to offer these settings as a choice for residential care, and protected current ICF residents from involuntary discharge.

In both the House and Senate, the adoption of budget amendments are subject to decisions by the legislative leadership. Most amendments are voted on in bundles, and only a limited number are formally considered by the full chamber. As a result, our amendments were not individually debated or voted on in either chamber.

Our budget language was consistent with federal law and aligned with DDS’ movement toward “self-direction,” which expands the role of individuals and families in the planning and selecting of services.

The Senate results follow our amendment effort in the House. There Representative Marcus Vaughn filed three amendments containing our language. Although the amendments received the bipartisan support of 19 legislative co-sponsors, they also were not adopted. 

Because our amendments did not advance in the House or Senate, our language will not be incorporated into the FY ‘27 state budget. However, we are hopeful that we have laid the groundwork for the reintroduction of our proposed language next year to save the Wrentham and Hogan facilities.

We are pleased that during this year’s budget debates, nearly a quarter of the Senate formally engaged on this issue by either sponsoring or co-sponsoring the amendments. It is encouraging to know that we are spreading awareness across the legislature, which oversees state agencies such as DDS. As noted, we believe this sets the groundwork for future legislative advocacy efforts.

This year marked our first sustained attempt to modify the state budget language.

Senate amendment co-sponsors

We would like to thank Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr (R, First Essex and Middlesex) and Senator Rebecca L. Rausch (D, Norfolk, Worcester and Middlesex), the principal sponsors of our amendments, along with the following co-sponsors:

Senator Pavel M. Payano, D, First Essex

Senator Jason M. Lewis, D, Fifth Middlesex

Senator John F. Keenan, D, Norfolk and Plymouth

Senator James B. Eldridge, D, Middlesex and Worcester

Senator Nick Collins, D, First Suffolk

Senator William J. Driscoll, Jr., D, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Bristol

Senator Vanna Howard, D, First Middlesex

COFAR member outreach 

We additionally would like to thank our COFAR members for their tireless advocacy. Whether emailing or calling their state senators, sharing our posts on social media, or encouraging others to contact their legislators, we were heartened by the outpouring of support. Your help was essential to the progress that we were able to achieve this year. Thank you for sharing your stories and perspective.

Future legislative advocacy efforts 

We will work to enact this language again next year since we believe the facilities are in danger of closure.

The Wrentham and Hogan centers offer a high level of federally regulated care for individuals with some of the most profound disabilities. They also provide more than 1,000 jobs for direct care workers, clinicians, medical personnel, and others, according to the latest data available from DDS. 

The population at both facilities has decreased significantly, however. Families report that they are not informed of ICF options or have their placement requests rejected. If these trends continue, closure of these facilities is inevitable.

It was only last year that Governor Maura Healey announced the proposed closure of Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children, a state-run residential hospital for children with disabilities that is reportedly now experiencing similar restrictions on admissions. We remain committed to safeguarding essential state-operated services for people with disabilities amid rampant privatization.

We encourage you to continue sharing your perspective with legislators to keep attention on this issue. If you are interested in participating in future legislative advocacy efforts, please contact us at info@cofar.org. Together we can preserve the Wrentham and Hogan centers.