HARRISBURG – Zach Shamberg, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Health Care Association (PHCA), today issued the following statement in response to Governor Wolf’s 2020-2021 budget address:
“Today begins our fight on behalf of Pennsylvania’s seniors and their providers of long-term care.
“During today’s budget address, Governor Wolf announced nearly $2 billion in new investments, while largely ignoring one of the fundamental, core functions and responsibilities of our state government – caring for the frail and most vulnerable among us.
“Notably absent was any mention of Pennsylvania’s seniors or any meaningful investments in the state’s Medicaid program to address the chronic underfunding of nursing home care that has plagued our state’s long-term care sector for six consecutive years, even as nearly two of every three nursing home residents rely on Medicaid for their daily care.
“Since 2018, more than 100 Pennsylvania nursing homes have been reorganized, sold or changed ownership.
“This frightening trend has taken place in other states across the country and providers had only one option left – to close their doors and leave seniors and their families seeking access to care hundreds of miles away.
“As the third oldest state in the country, our seniors and their families need access to the services long-term care residences provide now more than ever.
“The 2020-21 budget must make our aging population a priority. We look forward to working with the Wolf Administration and the General Assembly to ensure Pennsylvania’s long-term care providers receive the funding needed to continue providing the quality care our seniors need and deserve.”
