Pennsylvania faces direct care crisis as reimbursement rates lag behind neighboring states
January 28, 2025 | Aging & Older Adult Services, House of Representatives, Legislative, Pennsylvania
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The Aging & Older Adult Services Committee meeting on January 28, 2025, highlighted a critical crisis in Pennsylvania's home care services, with urgent calls for increased funding and better workforce recruitment strategies.
During the session, committee members discussed the alarming disparity in reimbursement rates for home care services compared to neighboring states. Pennsylvania's reimbursement rate stands at $20.63 per hour, significantly lower than West Virginia's $25.44 and New Jersey's $25.50. This gap of over $4.50 per hour is contributing to a recruitment and retention crisis in the state, as providers struggle to attract and keep staff. One speaker emphasized, "We are in crisis and we cannot afford to wait," underscoring the immediate need for policy changes to address the issue.
The discussion also touched on the challenges faced by families navigating home care, with one representative sharing personal experiences of high turnover and missed shifts. The committee explored marketing strategies to attract potential workers, particularly college students, by highlighting the flexibility of home care jobs and the rewarding nature of one-on-one patient interactions.
In response to the workforce shortage, a recent grant from the Department of Labor and Industry aims to train 1,300 new direct care workers, targeting outreach to colleges, high schools, and immigrant communities. This initiative is seen as a vital step in addressing the growing demand for home care services as Pennsylvania's aging population continues to rise.
The meeting concluded with a consensus on the urgent need for action to improve funding and support for home care services, as the state grapples with the challenges of an aging demographic.
During the session, committee members discussed the alarming disparity in reimbursement rates for home care services compared to neighboring states. Pennsylvania's reimbursement rate stands at $20.63 per hour, significantly lower than West Virginia's $25.44 and New Jersey's $25.50. This gap of over $4.50 per hour is contributing to a recruitment and retention crisis in the state, as providers struggle to attract and keep staff. One speaker emphasized, "We are in crisis and we cannot afford to wait," underscoring the immediate need for policy changes to address the issue.
The discussion also touched on the challenges faced by families navigating home care, with one representative sharing personal experiences of high turnover and missed shifts. The committee explored marketing strategies to attract potential workers, particularly college students, by highlighting the flexibility of home care jobs and the rewarding nature of one-on-one patient interactions.
In response to the workforce shortage, a recent grant from the Department of Labor and Industry aims to train 1,300 new direct care workers, targeting outreach to colleges, high schools, and immigrant communities. This initiative is seen as a vital step in addressing the growing demand for home care services as Pennsylvania's aging population continues to rise.
The meeting concluded with a consensus on the urgent need for action to improve funding and support for home care services, as the state grapples with the challenges of an aging demographic.
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