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Authors Posts by Jim Sharp

Jim Sharp

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0 1734

RCPA, as part of a statewide provider and association coalition, has sent a letter to the PA Congressional Delegation regarding the extension of the Enhanced Premium Tax Credit (EPTC). The coalition urges Congress to move quickly to pass legislation extending EPTCs that make marketplace plans more affordable for people who purchase their own health insurance; these are set to expire at the end of 2025.

If EPTCs are not extended, an estimated 270,000 Pennsylvanians are likely to become uninsured. Pennsylvania taxpayers end up paying for their care in one way or another because uninsured people are often forced to delay or avoid care for treatable conditions. They ultimately end up sicker and require more expensive care in hospitals, which leads to higher, uncompensated care costs for both hospitals and providers. In addition, they acquire medical debt and experience health complications that can jeopardize their employment or employability.

Read the letter here. If you have any questions, please contact RCPA COO Jim Sharp.

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As of today, September 18, RCPA is reporting to members that the budget impasse unfortunately remains unchanged after 80 days. As this week comes to a close, it does not appear there will be action to move the budget process forward.

The Senate currently remains on 24-hour call, with their next scheduled session days October 20 – 22. The House has their first scheduled Fall session set for September 29 – October 1.

Every day that passes without a budget is another day of uncertainty for:

  • People with disabilities, who rely on base-funded supports to live, work, and thrive in their communities;
  • Individuals and families in recovery, whose access to care depends on consistent funding and provider stability;
  • Children and adults facing mental health challenges, who can’t wait weeks — or months — for the services they need today;
  • Human service professionals, who are burning out, underpaid, and leaving the field in record numbers;
  • County governments, who administer core safety net services and are already preparing to withhold payments due to the impasse; and
  • Nonprofit organizations and service providers, who operate on tight margins, front the cost of services, and risk financial insolvency without reimbursement.

We thank our members for their participation in the recent State Budget Impasse Survey that was organized by agencies, associations, and providers to collect data regarding both the current and projected impact on both for-profit and nonprofit financials, staffing, and ultimately those served. We will continue sharing information with all entities involved so that the survey results can be analyzed and disseminated to the media and legislative contacts most efficiently.

You can also view this article from Spotlight PA, which provides a good overview of where the PA General Assembly caucuses stand and what is causing the impasse to continue.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your respective RCPA Policy Director.

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As RCPA, the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS), and the stakeholder community continue to partner on the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Treatment Facility (PRTF) regulation promulgation process, we have submitted to the PA Independent Regulatory Reform Commission (IRRC) a PRTF Cost Analysis. RCPA’s financial analysis focuses on the implementation costs in key target areas: staffing, accreditation, and non-allowable costs. The information represents a cross section of providers from diverse geographic and organizational perspectives.

We thank OMHSAS for the recent PRTF forum, which provided an overview of the changes the Department has made. The forum was informative, collaborative, and set a framework for ongoing regulatory development.

View the full RCPA PRTF Cost Analysis here.

If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Policy Associate Emma Sharp.

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National Council’s Hill Day event will span two days, with a Public Policy Institute Program on October 7 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, and meetings on Capitol Hill slated for October 8. This is a unique opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the country and share your important stories directly with the people who represent you in Washington, D.C.

Last year, RCPA members received the opportunity to learn and develop their lobbying skills through the Public Policy Institute sessions and put them to work meeting with Pennsylvania legislators in a series of meetings and roundtables. The experience was invaluable and created a pathway to advocating in their home districts and events like the RCPA Capital Day.

While Hill visits are open to all, space will limit the Public Policy Institute to 400 registrants.

As RCPA will once more serve as Team Captains for the Pennsylvania delegation, we ask that, when you register, you also contact RCPA COO Jim Sharp. RCPA will be coordinating and communicating with members as the event proceeds.

Register Here

Attendees are responsible for their own travel and lodging; however, hotel rooms can be booked through the Omni Shoreham Hotel at a discounted group rate once you have registered. Group transportation between the hotel and Capitol Hill will be offered at set times.

Note on potential shutdown: If Congress does not reach a spending agreement by September 30, there may be a government shutdown starting October 1. D.C. offices will remain open, however, and staff meetings can still occur. More updates will be provided if a shutdown appears likely.

More details will be forthcoming.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Questions:

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