PHCA Response to Wolf Administration Announcement of New Ownership of Eight Nursing Facilities

HARRISBURG — W. Russell McDaid, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Health Care Association, issued the following statement in response to the Wolf administration’s announcement that there is a change in ownership at eight of the former Skyline Healthcare Facilities.

“We commend the Pennsylvania Department of Health for their quick action in securing new ownership for these troubled facilities to ensure the continued safety and well-being of the residents and to the hard-working employees, contractors and others who have cared for the residents under the temporary management during this difficult time.

“PHCA continues to emphasize that the Medicaid shortfall continues to be the single biggest challenge facing Pennsylvania’s nursing facilities and that without adequate funding, the long-term care safety net will not be available for those who need it the most. We are highly likely to see similar challenges in the provision of care.

“We are beginning to see that safety net erode with more than 130 nursing facilities in Pennsylvania having declared bankruptcy, been put into receivership, changed ownership or undergone a reorganization. Access to quality nursing facility care will differ and nursing facility ownership churn will continue without increased Medicaid rates in the upcoming state budget.”