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The following comes from WFMJ:
Shapiro’s proposal would boost spending on home and community services for the intellectually disabled and autistic by about $200 million, or 12% more.
That’s about half the amount that advocates say is needed to fix a system beset by staffing shortages, low pay and a thousands-long waiting list.
Still, advocates applauded it.
“It’s the first large systemic effort at addressing this issue,” said Richard Edley of the Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association. ”This isn’t going to fix it, but at least it’s major step toward addressing it.”
Read the full article here.
The PA Provider Advocacy Coalition, an organization that constitutes a variety of PA providers and advocates across all fields, recently sent a letter to the Shapiro Administration regarding the FY 2024/25 budget. RCPA signed onto the letter, which calls for rate adjustments and investments in Medicaid services in order to address the current workforce crisis. The Coalition states in the letter:
We recognize that addressing these workforce challenges will require a sustained, coordinated, multi-faceted public and private sector response. Earlier this year, our coalition met with representatives of your administration to recommend the creation of a Health Care Workforce Council to help lead this multiyear effort. However, there is one aspect of this overall problem that is relatively straightforward—chronic underpayment by the Medical Assistance program.
RCPA will continue to keep our members informed of updates. If you have any questions, please contact your RCPA Policy Director.
RCPA recently joined over a dozen PA associations in delivering a joint letter to the Shapiro Administration requesting investments be made in behavioral health services for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024/25 budget. As noted in the letter, which was compiled by the PA Provider Advocacy Coalition:
The mental health system all too often is unable to deliver the right care, at the right time and in the right setting. We recognize that there is no simple fix and that a sustained, multiyear effort by all stakeholders—the commonwealth, counties, providers, insurers, and advocates—is necessary to rebuild and create a mental health system for the 21st century.
RCPA will continue to keep our members informed of updates. If you have any questions, please contact your RCPA Policy Director.

As we make our final preparations for the 2023 RCPA Annual Conference A Decade of Unity, we would like to showcase and take the opportunity to thank our sponsors and exhibitors! We encourage attendees to meet and get to know these organizations in our Connections Hall Wednesday, October 11 and Thursday, October 12. View the full list below, and thank you once again to everyone who supports our conference! We are excited to see you at the Hershey Lodge!