LeadingAge PA: Wolf budget proposal ignores PA nursing homes during pandemic
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (Feb. 3, 2021) - LeadingAge PA, an association representing more than 370 providers of services for seniors, today issued the following statement from President and CEO Adam Marles on the 2021-22 budget proposal from Gov. Tom Wolf.
"One year ago, Pennsylvania had no idea it would soon be engrossed in an unprecedented pandemic that would change our communities forever. Nursing homes have been in the epicenter of the war against COVID-19 ever since. That's why today's news that Gov. Wolf is yet again flat-funding Medical Assistance for Pennsylvania's nursing homes is devastating news for all of our front-line workers. This follows years of underfunding by the Wolf administration. In 2019 alone, flat funding led to a $632 million loss that hurt nursing homes' ability to maintain high quality care, as well as retain and attract talented staff. Imagine what we could do to fight this pandemic and save lives if Gov. Wolf would simply provide fair funding.
"We urge the Pennsylvania General Assembly to include a rate increase into the budget to cover the growing costs of providing quality nursing home care. This would help us defeat COVID-19 once and for all, which should be a common sense goal for all."
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About LeadingAge PA:LeadingAge PA is a trade association representing more than 370 quality senior housing, health care, and community services across the commonwealth. These providers serve more than 75,000 older Pennsylvanians and employ over 50,000 dedicated caregivers on a daily basis. Services our members offer include Life Plan Communities / Continuing Care Retirement Communities, skilled nursing communities, assisted living residences, personal care homes, and affordable senior housing. LeadingAge PA advocates on behalf of our members at the state and local levels to influence positive change and affect a healthy vision for the delivery of quality, affordable, and ethical care for Pennsylvania's seniors. For more information about LeadingAge PA and our envisioned future of senior services, visit www.leadingagepa.org.
La Torre Communications for LeadingAge PA
David La Torre
david@latorrecommunications.com