This brief makes the case for seniors to be a priority in the 2019-20 state budget: Medicaid funded nursing facilities need a 2.8% increase in the FY 2019-2020 budget and the legislature must provide $17 million to fully fund the Medicaid Access Program to preserve access to care.

As part of Governor Tom Wolf’s proposed 2015-16 budget, the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Department of Aging were directed to begin developing a plan to implement a Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) program for older Pennsylvanians and adults with physical disabilities, which would eventually be called ‘Community HealthChoices’ (CHC).

Skilled nursing facilities, personal care homes and assisted living facilities are under attack from predatory, out-of-state lawyers. Lawsuit abuse reform must be enacted in the 2017-18 legislative session to combat these attorneys and keep Medicaid dollars where they belong: at resident bedside in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania offers a continuum of long-term care services including skilled nursing facilities; assisted living residences and personal care homes; home health care and homecare; hospice and LIFE programs.

An average Pennsylvania nursing facility caring for 100 Medical Assistance (MA) residents is under-reimbursed by almost $1.75 million annually or ($47.50) per day of care by Medicaid, according to PA’s own Case Mix Rate System. Current MA Rates do NOT cover the costs of providing quality care to Pennsylvania’s seniors. MA underfunding is directly contributing to the sales of PA nursing facilities.

MYTH: Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) is less costly to the Pennsylvania Medicaid program than Nursing Home Care. FACT: When a Medicaid-eligible Pennsylvanian needs round-the-clock skilled nursing and rehabilitation services (which are provided to them in a nursing home), that level of care is the most efficient use of Pennsylvania’s tax dollars—and the safest and most appropriate level of care for that individual.

Each and every day, Pennsylvania’s 700-plus nursing facilities provide high-quality, compassionate care to more than 81,000 frail elderly and disabled residents who need around-the-clock support for clinically complex medical conditions. In fact, Pennsylvania’s centers rank among the best in the country.