Pennsylvania Homecare Association, Legislators Call for Greater Support for In-Home Care Industry

Harrisburg (April 12, 2022) – Today, the Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA), along with members of a Pennsylvania General Assembly, held a press conference to call for critical funding and resources to ensure that access to quality, in-home care remains available for all Pennsylvanians in need.

The demand for in-home care has never been higher. Unfortunately, home-based care providers continue to face persistent barriers in serving Pennsylvanians in need, including chronic underfunding, a crisis-level workforce shortage, and unnecessary regulatory burdens.

As a result, Pennsylvanians most in need are at risk of losing access to quality, in-home care.

For years, Pennsylvania has underfunded the Medicaid programs that allow participants to receive in-home care, despite the fact that this care is far more cost-effective than facility-based care. As a result, homecare agencies have been severely limited in their ability to provide competitive and commensurate wages for caregivers. Today, the average hourly wage for a direct care worker in Pennsylvania is just $13.40.

Homecare agencies are simply not able to compete in today’s job market, where many private employers can offer starting wages of $18/hour and more for far less demanding work. In order to begin to address the current workforce crisis, a substantial increase to the Medicaid reimbursement must be made in this year’s budget.

During the event, Senator Maria Collett (D-Montgomery) and Representative David Zimmerman (R-Lancaster) reaffirmed their commitment to champion initiatives that support and advance quality, in-home care in Pennsylvania.

“We look forward to working with Senator Collett and Representative Zimmerman, and all legislators to support access to quality in-home care to Pennsylvanians who need it,” said Teri Henning, Esq., CEO of the Pennsylvania Homecare Association. “We can no longer afford to underfund and underappreciate the critical value of these programs. Home is not only where individuals want to age and receive care, it is also cost-effective, with improved outcomes. Home care is win, win, win.”

It’s time to champion home care.

About PHA… The Pennsylvania Homecare Association is a statewide organization of nearly 700 home health, homecare and hospice providers. PHA members provide quality care and serve as advocates for their patients and clients on a variety of healthcare issues. PHA and its members work to improve professional standards and ensure access to quality homecare throughout the Commonwealth. To learn more, visit www.pahomecare.org.

Stanley Rynkiewicz PHA’s Southeast Board Chair Member and DMHHSS Administrator lead a group from PHA today to Advocate for home health care. pictured below is Stanley and his team with PA State Representative Ed Neilson of the 174th Legislative District.

Stanley Rynkiewicz PHA’s Southeast Board Chair Member and DMHHSS Administrator lead a group from PHA today to Advocate for home health care. pictured below is Stanley and his team with PA Senator Nikil Saval.

Stanley Rynkiewicz PHA’s Southeast Board Chair Member and DMHHSS Administrator lead a group from PHA today to Advocate for home health care. pictured below is Stanley and his team with PA State Representative Martina White.

Stanley Rynkiewicz PHA’s Southeast Board Chair Member and DMHHSS Administrator lead a group from PHA today to Advocate for home health care. pictured below is Stanley and his team with PA State Representative Joseph Hohenstein.