March 4th, 2009

Today, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports:

“The state Department of Aging could assume new responsibility for $4.4 billion of state spending, a move the Rendell administration says is needed to revamp a long-term care system suffering from fragmentation and inconsistencies.

Acting Secretary of Aging Michael Hall will address the plan before the Senate Appropriations Committee today, describing a shift that would bring Medical Assistance funding of nursing home care and in-home services for both the elderly and the disabled under the aging department’s control.”

Up until this point, there were a bunch of different long-term care programs funded through the Dept. of Public Welfare, but many of the clients came through the Dept. of Aging.  Having two departments handle the long-term care system was confusing to residents and created inefficiencies in handling.  Key lawmakers say that the proposal makes sense, but are waiting to see details of the legislation offered by the Gov. before making any final conclusions.