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SD 3898

Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children April 2026 Report

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

The bill requires reporting on Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children's services, census, admissions, discharges, and staffing, with monthly updates to oversight.

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Bill Summary · SD 3898

Summary of SD 3898 (Session 194th) – Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children April 2026 Report (Massachusetts)

Purpose and intent

  • The bill consolidates and communicates the Department of Public Health’s status report for the Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children, as mandated by Line Item 4590-0915 of Chapter 9 of the Acts of 2025.
  • The report outlines current services, operational details, and staffing at the hospital, with monthly updates and census data to assist legislative oversight.

Key provisions and changes described in the report

The bill itself is a reporting mandate; the attached April 18, 2026 report provides:

  • Summary of services and programs (Medical, Therapeutic/Recreational, Educational)

    • Medical:
    • Medically Complex Care: hospital-level medical and rehabilitative management.
    • Medical/Behavioral Service: combined medical complexity and behavioral health needs.
    • Caregiver Short-Term Respite: respite care for patients and families at home.
    • Therapeutic/Recreational:
    • Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Therapy.
    • Psychosocial Support (counseling/behavioral therapy; includes some CAM elements).
    • Recreational Therapy (e.g., equine therapy, rhythmic movement therapy, community integration/activity).
    • Educational:
    • Special education services through DESE’s Special Education in Institutional Settings (SEIS), aligned with each student’s IEP goals and coordinated with the student’s school district.

  • Service reductions/terminations

    • The report notes “No Changes for March” in terms of service reductions or terminations.

  • Census data

    • January 1, 2025 census: 39 patients total (37 long-term care, 2 caregiver respite).

  • Monthly admissions, discharges, and census (long-term care and caregiver respite) from Jan 2025 through Mar 2026

    • Provides month-by-month data showing admissions, discharges, and resulting census for two patient categories:
    • Long Term Care
    • Caregiver Respite
    • The table tracks last-day-of-month census figures and changes in patient mix over time.

  • Staffing (FTEs) as of 3/24/2026

    • Department of Public Health (DPH) total FTEs: 180.44
    • DESE (education) total FTEs: 17.0
    • Breakdown highlights include:
    • Administrative, Environmental Services, Maintenance, Nursing, Medical/Clinical, Quality Management, Recreational Services, Respiratory, Security, etc.
    • Notable nursing and rehabilitation staffing levels (e.g., RN 31.90 FTEs, Nursing Assistant 50.40 FTEs, Licensed Practical Nurse 6.60 FTEs).
    • Overall total FTEs: 197.44 (sum of DPH and DESE staff).

Who would be affected

  • The Massachusetts Legislature and oversight committees (Joint Committee on Public Health; House and Senate Ways and Means) rely on these monthly status reports.
  • Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children and its staff (clinical, custodial, educational, and support personnel) receive ongoing visibility into services offered, census, admissions/discharges, and staffing.
  • State agencies involved in health and education services (DPH and DESE) coordinate funding, program delivery, and staffing based on the reported data.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Based on Line Item 4590-0915 of Chapter 9 of the Acts of 2025, the Department of Public Health must:
    • Submit the status report no later than August 18, 2025, and continue monthly thereafter.
    • Include detailed elements: service types, changes and rationales, January 1, 2025 census, monthly admissions/discharges since January 1, 2025, and total staff by profession.
  • The April 18, 2026 report completes a documented quarterly/monthly update cycle and is presented to the clerk and legislative committees for review.

Notable data points (as reported)

  • January 1, 2025 census: 39 patients (37 long-term, 2 caregiver respite).
  • Staffing (as of 3/24/26): DPH total FTEs 180.44; DESE FTEs 17.0; combined total 197.44.
  • Monthly data show fluctuating admissions/discharges with census ranging roughly in the mid-20s to mid-30s across the cited period.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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