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Governor Rendell's Budget Plans
Governor Rendell's Budget Plans Cont'd
New budget plans
After months of declining revenues and increasingly dire warnings about pain in the budget, from a disability perspective, the Governor’s proposed budget is a mixed bag. The budget continues the trend toward increased investment in home- and community-based services and protects many vital programs. But there are significant concerns about cuts in community mental health programs, drug and alcohol programs and a number of others. It’s lacking in new initiatives, and there are no cost of living increases (COLAs).
One of the ways that this proposed budget is balanced is by using the economic stimulus funds Pennsylvania is hoping to receive from the federal government. This funding is not yet guaranteed. Read Governor Rendell’s budget online.
Click here for budget briefing materials.
Prescription for Pennsylvania: $14.5 million in state and federal funds will be used to implement a series of initiatives to improve the coordination and quality of health care.
Expanding Services for the Disabled: $429.5 million in state and federal funds was allocated, an increase of $33.9 million. These funds will allow 1,600 more individuals to receive home- and community-based care.
Long-Term Living: $3.9 billion in total funds were allocated for home- and community-based services and nursing facility care. This funding will enable 2,000 additional seniors to remain in their homes as an alternative to nursing facility care.
Proposed Department of Aging and Long Term Living: Services for people with physical disabilities are combined with Aging services in a new proposed department called the Department of Aging and Long Term Living (ALTL). Legislation to create the department is expected to be introduced at the same time as the budget bill. There are a number of line items, including MA long term care (nursing homes and the aging waiver), attendant care and services to persons.
After months of declining revenues and increasingly dire warnings about pain in the budget, from a disability perspective, the Governor’s proposed budget is a mixed bag. The budget continues the trend toward increased investment in home- and community-based services and protects many vital programs. But there are significant concerns about cuts in community mental health programs, drug and alcohol programs and a number of others. It’s lacking in new initiatives, and there are no cost of living increases (COLAs).
One of the ways that this proposed budget is balanced is by using the economic stimulus funds Pennsylvania is hoping to receive from the federal government. This funding is not yet guaranteed. Read Governor Rendell’s budget online.
Click here for budget briefing materials.
Budget Highlights:
AdultBasic expansion: $25.7 million in state, federal and other funds were allocated to provide an affordable basic health care plan for 50,000 additional uninsured adults.Prescription for Pennsylvania: $14.5 million in state and federal funds will be used to implement a series of initiatives to improve the coordination and quality of health care.
Expanding Services for the Disabled: $429.5 million in state and federal funds was allocated, an increase of $33.9 million. These funds will allow 1,600 more individuals to receive home- and community-based care.
Long-Term Living: $3.9 billion in total funds were allocated for home- and community-based services and nursing facility care. This funding will enable 2,000 additional seniors to remain in their homes as an alternative to nursing facility care.
Proposed Department of Aging and Long Term Living: Services for people with physical disabilities are combined with Aging services in a new proposed department called the Department of Aging and Long Term Living (ALTL). Legislation to create the department is expected to be introduced at the same time as the budget bill. There are a number of line items, including MA long term care (nursing homes and the aging waiver), attendant care and services to persons.
