Tanzman, Irene v. Executive Office of Health & Human Services (SPR 20260571)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records February 19, 2026 SPR26/0571 Patricia M. Smith, Esq. Assistant General Counsel Executive Office of Health and Human Services 1 Ashburton Place, Room 1109 Boston, MA 02108 Dear Attorney Smith: I have received the petition of Irene Tanzman appealing the nonresponse of the Executive Office of Health & Human Services (Office) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On January 23, 2025, Ms. Tanzman requested the following: [1] All HCBS quality survey instruments used during FY2025–FY2026, including: The full survey instrument provided to UMass Chan Medical School[;] Any Massachusetts‑specific supplemental questions[;] Interviewer scripts, prompts, or guidance documents[;] Any proxy‑response, observational, or alternative‑communication tools used for members unable to self‑report[;] [2] All contracts, amendments, scopes of work, or memoranda of understanding between MassHealth/EOHHS and UMass Chan Medical School pertaining to HCBS quality measurement or survey administration during FY2025–FY2026[;] [3] Sampling methodology and selection criteria, including: Inclusion and exclusion criteria for survey participants[;] Procedures governing the treatment of members with significant communication, cognitive, or medical disabilities[;] Any documentation describing how MassHealth ensures ADA/504‑compliant access to the survey process[;] [4] Training materials provided to survey administrators or interviewers, including instructions for interviewing members who cannot self‑report or who require communication accommodations[;] [5] Policies, internal guidance, or communications describing how HCBS survey data are used for quality reporting, compliance monitoring, or program evaluation One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 • (617) 727-2832• Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre • pre@sec.state.ma.us

Patricia Smith, Esq. SPR26/0571 Page 2 February 19, 2026 during FY2025–FY2026[.] Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Ms. Tanzman petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR26/0571, was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that the Office intends on providing a written response to Ms. Tanzman. Accordingly, the Office is ordered to provide Ms. Tanzman with said response in accordance with the Public Records Law, its Regulations and this order within ten business days. A copy of any such response must be provided to this office. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of the response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Ms. Tanzman may appeal the substantive nature of the Office’s response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Irene Tanzman