FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 16, 2010

Contact: Bill Yelenak

617-428-3637 x122 (office)
860-919-0369 (cell)

FMAP extension voted down by U.S. Senate

Vote could mean substantial cuts to human services and hurt most vulnerable

BOSTON The U.S. Senates failure to not extend the Federal Medical Assistance Percentages
for FY 11 is likely to mean a loss of human service sector jobs and services for clients in
Massachusetts, Providers Council President & CEO Michael Weekes said today.

The state expected to receive an additional $600 million in federal funding from the extension.
That money will be removed from the states budget unless another solution is found soon.

Client services have already seen tremendous cuts and the state cannot afford to lose more
jobs, Weekes said. This is disappointing and we hope our states elected leaders take all
actions to mitigate any adverse actions. Any budget reductions must protect the most vulnerable
and should be borne proportionately by all in the state.

With Senator Brown, his Republican colleagues and several Democrats deciding to vote against
extending FMAP, services to the most vulnerable people in our community are in peril and our
dedicated, hard-working direct care professionals are in danger of losing their jobs, he added.

The bill failed a test vote in the U.S. Senate with 45 for and 52 against, forcing lawmakers to
consider reworking the legislation to provide assistance to communities who are now facing
budget deficits. Providers Council members sent close to 1,000 messages and made phone calls
to Senators Scott Brown and John Kerry in recent weeks, asking them to support the legislation.

It is our hope that the Senate can rework this important bill and find some way to provide help
to Massachusetts and other cash-strapped states, Weekes added. The state planned its FY 11
budget with the assumption that it would receive more than $600 million in federal money. This
vote essentially cuts the state budget by 3.6 percent, and we are concerned for the safety and
protection of our clients, consumers and staff.

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The Providers Council, also known as the Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers,
Inc., is the largest statewide membership association for community-based organizations
providing social, rehabilitation, education and health care services.