"Member Alert: PA House and Senate came to consensus and passed funding bills May 28, 2020
The Pennsylvania House and Senate came to consensus and passed a number of funding bills late in the evening of 5-28-2020.
Emergency CARES Act Funding for the Continuum of Long-Term Care Providers
Thanks to the advocacy of our members and the diligent efforts of LeadingAge PA, a $2.6 billion funding package ([SB1108](https://leadingagepa.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e1c7c703064529f970f54e669&id=81a0aa576c&e=9c493c4aa4) appropriating and [HB2510](https://leadingagepa.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e1c7c703064529f970f54e669&id=afdc1ee8f1&e=9c493c4aa4) allocating the same funding) was passed in both the PA House and Senate.
We battled for nursing facility funding that would direct funding to all nursing facilities statewide. As a result of your advocacy and engagement, the bills currently awaiting the governor’s signature will send approximately $3 million more to LeadingAge PA members than if the alternative formula being pushed was enacted. The allocation of funding from the commonwealth to all nursing facilities is the first of its kind and the direct product of LeadingAge PA advocacy. All funding will be distributed through the Department of Human Services, with the timing to be determined.
The funding breakdown supporting the long-term care continuum includes:
* $245 million directly to nursing homes
* $140 million for personal assistance services in the Medical Assistance program
* $50 million directly to personal care homes and assisted living residences, with a small enhancement for personal care homes serving SSI residents
* $13 million for adult day care services provided under the Medical Assistance program
* $10 million for LIFE Program providers
* $175 million for Regional response health collaboratives to enhance testing capability, infection control consultation, and clinical care and telemedicine within nursing homes, personal care homes, and assisted living residences
*$150 million for Pennsylvania Housing and Finance Agency Rental Assistance Grants
State Budget Passage
A five-month interim budget ([HB2387](https://leadingagepa.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e1c7c703064529f970f54e669&id=6779f28ca1&e=9c493c4aa4)) was approved by both the PA House and Senate yesterday, sending the agreed-upon partial year budget to the governor’s office to finalize. Because of uncertain revenues and expenses forthcoming with the COVID-19 pandemic plaguing the economy, the legislature will return to finish the fiscal year’s budget in November. The current partial budget is status quo and contains flat-funding for nursing facility Medical Assistance rates.
We continue to advocate and build relationships supporting a rate increase for Medical Assistance nursing facility rates to begin addressing the per diem gap between reimbursement and cost of care. We encourage you to reach out to your members of the PA House and Senate over the summer to tell your story about the safety net services you provide and the Medical Assistance shortfall.
If you have questions about the budget or emergency CARES Act funding, please reach out to Anne Henry(ahenry@leadingagepa.org) or Georgia Goodman (ggoodman@leadingagepa.org).
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