FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact karen.gownley@seiuhcpa.org
HARRISBURG, Pa (July 11, 2022) –– Pennsylvania long-term care advocates commend the General Assembly and Governor Tom Wolf for their partnership and commitment to prioritize a critical investment for senior care in the 2022-23 state budget.
After nearly 10 years without an increase, seniors and adults with disabilities on Medicaid in nursing homes will receive more funding for their care — an additional $35 per resident per day. The increase in the state’s Medicaid reimbursement rate will allow providers to invest more in employee wages, workforce recruitment and the care they provide.
At a joint press conference at the state capitol today, the Pennsylvania Health Care Association (PHCA), SEIU Healthcare PA and LeadingAge PA stood with Governor Tom Wolf, Speaker of the House Bryan Cutler and other state legislators voicing their appreciation for this imperative state investment. The three advocacy groups touted the success of an industry working together for positive results and addressed the importance of continued support in caring for Pennsylvania’s rapidly aging population.
“This is what caring for our vulnerable loved ones and neighbors looks like –– through partnerships and commitments. This investment — a direct result of the entire long-term care sector, as well as state leaders, working together — helps better position Pennsylvania to ensure continuity of care for tens of thousands of vulnerable senior citizens. For months, we have asked, ‘Who Will Care?’ Today, seniors and adults with disabilities should find comfort in knowing that Pennsylvania cares.”
~Zach Shamberg, President and CEO, Pennsylvania Health Care Association
“Our caregivers, seniors, and those needing nursing home care have been paying the price of an underfunded system for decades. It’s taken relentless advocacy – from union caregivers who have spoken out and shared their stories and day-to-day experiences about how the broken system and impact of COVID affected their lives and ability to provide care, and from employer associations who voiced concerns and challenges about an increasingly complex system – to achieve this historic investment.
“The only way to achieve the reform we need is through an organized movement of workers, advocates, the industry, and our government working together to improve our long-term care system.”
~Matthew Yarnell, President SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania
“On behalf of LeadingAge PA and the over 360 aging services providers we represent, we thank Gov. Wolf and the General Assembly for showing tremendous leadership and working with us on this crucial investment that will help older Pennsylvanians. LeadingAge PA looks forward to continuing to work with policymakers and fellow stakeholders to ensure long-term care providers across the commonwealth have appropriate resources to meet the needs of our growing aging population. Pennsylvanians deserve the best long-term care system in America. Today, we took an important first step toward achieving that goal.”
~Garry Pezzano, President & CEO, LeadingAge PA
The Pennsylvania state budget investments for long-term care include:
- a 17.5% Medicaid rate increase for nursing homes, which translates to an approximate $35 more per resident per day (including a federal match);
- $131 million in American Rescue Plan stimulus funds for nursing homes;
- $26.7 million in American Rescue Plan stimulus funds for assisted living communities and personal care homes;
- $33 million in Medicaid Day One Incentive (MDOI) payments for nursing homes serving high Medicaid populations (including a federal match);
- $4.2 million in American Rescue Plan stimulus funds for nursing homes serving a high number of residents on ventilators;
- and a $20 million increase to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) rates for personal care home residents.
The total additional funding allocated for long-term care for the 2022-23 budget cycle –– including federal matches –– is about $515 million.
Increased Medicaid reimbursement rates will take effect in January 2023, and ARPA funds should begin to be allocated in the next 2-3 months.
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