March 13th, 2009

PANPHA, an association of nonprofit senior services that advocates for seniors in PA, has issued a press release calling for Pennsylvania to use some of the $300 million of federal stimulus money to create a long-term living system for seniors.

PANPHA writes:

“The federal stimulus is more than building roads and repairing bridges – it provides Pennsylvania an unprecedented opportunity to build a strong bridge for senior care that can be used by all for generations to come. We have an opportunity – and obligation – to ensure our seniors have access to the care services they need. While many in Pennsylvania have talked about providing this system, they haven’t invested in it. Now, we can without raising a single extra dollar through taxes. The proper system – which includes care in the home, community, or in a nursing home – will see all care options as equally important.” Investing stimulus dollars into creating such a system will also yield long-term economic benefits to Pennsylvania taxpayers by helping providers rebalance their services to meet the needs of seniors.”

Proper use of the stimulus dollars can help maintain quality of care, which is being stretched to the breaking point. Due to Medicaid rates that have failed to cover the actual cost of care, providers have been slashing budgets for years and in many cases, increasing costs to those who can afford to pay. That means some are seeing their life savings disappear. Meanwhile, dedicated healthcare workers are seeing their salaries and benefits lag as providers try to make ends meet.