2018-19 State Budget

On Tuesday, February 6, 2018, Governor Tom Wolf released the proposed fiscal year 2018-19 state budget.

The budget called for NO funding increase for skilled nursing facilities.

PHCA issued a press release noting that “The proposed budget fails to adequately address the escalating costs of caring for this (Pennsylvania’s frailest and sickest residents) vulnerable population.”

Proposed budget items of note included:

Medicaid Long-Term Care Funding: The Governor’s proposed budget again flat-funded Medicaid funding for nursing facilities. In addition, the Medicaid Access Add-On program, which directs funds to high Medicaid facilities, was again removed from the Governor’s proposed budget, forcing the legislature’s hand to add the dollars back.

Visit the Pa Budget Office website to learn more about the proposed budget.

Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Zach Shamberg, Director of Advocacy and Legislative Affairs, at (717) 221-7934 or zshamberg@phca.org.

Issue Briefs

2018-19 State Budget

This brief makes the case for seniors to be a priority in the 2018-19 state budget: Medicaid funded nursing facilities need a 2.6% increase in the FY 2018-2019 budget and the legislature must provide $17 million to fully fund the Medicaid Access Program to preserve access to care.

February 2018

Pennsylvania’s Long-Term Care Medicaid Funding: MYTH VS. FACT

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.

February 2019