PHA CEO Statement: Additional Investments Needed to Elevate HCBS in Pennsylvania
February 6, 2024Harrisburg (February 6, 2024) – Mia Haney, CEO of the Pennsylvania Homecare Association, has issued the following statement in response to Governor Shapiro’s budget proposal.
“On behalf of the Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA) and the nearly 700 home care, home health, and hospice providers we represent and the hundreds of thousands of patients they serve, we express gratitude for Governor Shapiro’s acknowledgment of the caregiver crisis in PA, and dedication to bolstering caregiver rates.
We commend him for his budgetary commitment to providing $217 million in funds to increase resources to providers of home and community-based services in the Intellectual Disabilities Consolidated Waiver, Base Funding, Community Living Waiver and Adult Autism Waiver programs. However, the Governor’s Budget proposal falls short in recognizing workforce shortages in similar Medical Assistance (MA) programs providing personal assistance services and shift nursing services for seniors, medically fragile children, and individuals with physical disabilities.
The significance of the full spectrum of HCBS services and the populations they serve in the broader context of Pennsylvania’s care continuum must be acknowledged. The future of HCBS is not just a priority, it is a lifeline for countless Pennsylvanians of all ages who rely on medical assistance services to maintain their independence, dignity, and quality of life. All Pennsylvanians deserve access to essential home and community-based services and all caregivers deserve to receive a living wage for the invaluable work they do. We look forward to working with the Governor and the Pennsylvania General Assembly in the coming months to finalize a budget that ensures a future where all Pennsylvanians can thrive comfortably in their own homes and communities.”
About PHA
The Pennsylvania Homecare Association is a statewide organization of nearly 700 home health, homecare, and hospice providers. PHA members provide quality care and serve as advocates for their patients and clients on a variety of healthcare issues. PHA and its members work to improve professional standards and ensure access to quality homecare throughout the Commonwealth. To learn more, visit www.pahomecare.org.
