PHCA/CALM Statement on Gov. Wolf’s State Budget

HARRISBURG —Stuart H. Shapiro, M.D., CEO of the Pennsylvania Health Care Association and the Center for Assisted Living Management (PHCA/CALM), today issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed 2015-16 General Fund budget:

“During his campaign, Gov. Wolf noted that Pennsylvania’s aging population is struggling, and he made clear that we need to protect our frail elderly and ensure dignity for them in the twilight of their lives. We couldn’t agree more, and with this budget, he’s taking his first steps to try to fulfill that promise.

“Despite the tremendous financial straits our state faces, the governor is working to ensure continuity of care for our frail elderly and disabled residents. These are challenging times all around.

“Pennsylvania’s population is aging rapidly and the demand for long-term care services is growing, especially among residents and patients who have higher acuity levels, more complex medical needs and chronic health conditions that require around-the-clock care.

“We need to do all we can to ensure our skilled nursing facilities have the resources they need to provide our sickest, frailest elderly residents with the services they need to live a healthy, safe, high-quality life with the dignity and respect they deserve.

“We look forward to working with the administration and the legislature on all of the Governor’s initiatives including a Medicaid Managed Long-Term Care demonstration pilot, which is proposed in the budget. The commonwealth must ensure that care to consumers is not sacrificed in an attempt to reduce costs.

“Thirty states are experimenting with managed care under Medicaid for the elderly. There are no conclusive results that show that managed care improves care or outcomes, gives consumers choice and saves money. In fact, preliminary data seems to say that it does none of these.

“We look forward to being at the stakeholder table that will develop the small geographically limited demonstration project, as suggested by Gov. Wolf, to assure that it is voluntary, person centered and that consumer care is protected.

“PHCA is committed to working with Gov. Wolf and the entire General Assembly to ensure our sickest, frailest elderly residents get the services they need to live a healthy, safe, high-quality life with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

“All of us share the same commitment. We look forward to working with Gov. Wolf and the entire General Assembly as the budget process begins.”