FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STATEMENT
Pa.
Homecare Association CEO Comments on Governor’s Proposed 2017-18 Budget
Lemoyne, Pa.
(February 9, 2017) –
Vicki Hoak, CEO of the Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA), issued the following
statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2017-18 proposed $32.3 billion budget:
“During his
brief budget address earlier this week, Governor Tom Wolf mentioned seniors,
aging and home nearly 20 times, emphasizing his commitment to enabling more
seniors to receive services at home rather than in a nursing home. The
Pennsylvania Homecare Association, which represents nearly 700 homecare and
hospice agencies that bring medical, personal and end-of-life care into the
homes of thousands each week across the state, applauds the Governor for making
older Pennsylvanians a priority and protecting the investment Pennsylvania has
already made in senior services.
“The Governor
has publicly recognized the value of our direct care workforce, who are
lifelines for seniors and people with disabilities. However despite this
increased focus, current Medicaid reimbursement is still woefully inadequate
and makes it difficult for providers to cover their expenses and provide direct
care workers with livable wages. We are disappointed that there was no rate
increase for personal assistance services in the Governor’s budget.
“Homecare
providers can care for two people at home for the same cost as just one person
in a nursing home. Paying $2,102 per month for 30 hours of personal assistance
services is much cheaper than the $5,390 a month that Medicaid pays today for a
nursing home. Homecare is a win-win for both state government and consumers. At
a fraction of the cost of nursing home care, home-based care saves Medicaid
significant dollars AND being at home is simply where people want to be. Yet,
the Governor didn’t address the difficulty older Pennsylvanians and their
families have in accessing home-based care. Today, it can take anywhere from
four to six months for an individual to complete the eligibility determination
process before Medicaid will begin to pay for home-based care. Yet someone
who goes into a nursing facility can immediately be ‘presumed Medicaid
eligible’ by a quick look at checking accounts and other assets. Why such
differences in Medicaid rules? Because when the Medicaid program was first
created in 1965, the government was focused on nursing homes. But today we have
many other options that can instead help people remain as independent as
possible at home.
“We appreciate
Governor Wolf’s commitment to older Pennsylvanians but urge him to look at
current archaic Medicaid rules that are barriers for many seniors who want to
remain at home.”
About
PHA… The
Pennsylvania Homecare Association is a statewide organization of nearly 700
homecare and hospice providers. PHA members provide quality care and serve as
advocates for their patients and clients on a variety of healthcare related
issues. PHA and its members work hard to improve professional standards and
ensure access to quality homecare throughout the Commonwealth. To learn
more, visit www.pahomecare.org.
###
Contact:
Jennifer
Haggerty
(717) 975-9448,
ext. 22