Governor Corbett announced proposed increases in programs and services that help individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities, senior citizens and low-income families. Spending by the Department of Public Welfare is proposed to increase by $315 million over the current fiscal year.
Among the budget proposals are:
- an additional $20 million to fully fund supplemental payments for specialized hospital services, including obstetrical and neonatal care, burn centers and trauma centers;
- an additional $8.5 million to add 9,330 eligible children to the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP);
- $1 million to provide additional awards of loan repayment to health care professionals committed to working in underserved areas of the state and slots in primary care at hospitals; and
- expansion of the Human Services Block Grant from the current 20-county pilot to statewide by allowing additional counties to participate in the block grant on a voluntary basis.
This year, Governor Corbett is also proposing funding increases in long-term living programs, which includes a 2 percent increase in nursing home rates. Additional funding for home and community-based services for older Pennsylvanians from the Governor’s proposal to privatize the State Lottery is on hold due to the Attorney General’s disapproval of the private management contract. According to the administration, the department would have been able to use new money as a result of privatization to address various needs including:
- home and community-based services to persons currently on the OPTIONS waiting list;
- growth in the Medicaid home and community-based waiver program, including services for more than 1,500 older Pennsylvanians;
- support for the Area Agencies on Aging;
- attendant care services; and
- modernization of senior care facilities and programs.
The budget proposal also contains increases in funding to expand services for individuals with disabilities. Specifically, the proposal includes:
- $18.5 million to provide home and community-based services for 1,080 individuals with intellectual disabilities, including 380 people on the waiting list and 700 students graduating from special education;
- $15.8 million to provide home and community-based services for 1,280 additional individuals with disabilities through several Medicaid waiver programs;
- $4.1 million to provide attendant care services for 400 additional individuals with disabilities; and
- providing home and community-based services for 90 individuals currently residing in state mental hospitals ($4.7 million), 100 individuals currently residing in state intellectual disabilities centers ($1.4 million) and 188 adults with autism spectrum disorders ($1.5 million).