Latest news with #HouseMajorityPolicyCommittee
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
House lawmakers hold hearing on long-term care crisis
The cost of long-term care in Pennsylvania, coupled with limited staffing, is challenging nursing facilities tasked with caring for the commonwealth's fast-growing demographic. Advocates are looking to Pennsylvania lawmakers for help ensuring seniors have access to affordable and quality care. 'Since 2019, more than 30 nursing homes across the state have closed. Dozens have filed for bankruptcy. Numerous reorganizations and changes of ownership have occurred,' said Pennsylvania Health Care Association President and CEO Zach Shamberg. 'That's because caring for seniors in Pennsylvania is like trying to walk up a down escalator.' Shamberg spoke during a hearing for the House Majority Policy Committee. It is chaired by Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, who represents Erie County. Bizzarro is preparing to introduce legislation aimed at addressing the financial challenges nursing facilities are facing and improving care for seniors at government-run facilities, nonprofits and for-profit nursing homes, as well as personal care homes and assisted living facilities. 'Last June we saw two nursing home closures: one for-profit and one non-for-profit in the city of Pittsburgh. Three weeks ago there was a closure announced up in rural Luzerne County. It doesn't matter if it's urban. It doesn't matter if it's rural. This is happening everywhere,' Shamberg said. Advocates say the current reimbursement system is setting providers up to fail. They point to the budget adjustment factor, known as BAF, and say the system is outdated and crippling providers. BAF determines how state funds are distributed to nursing homes that care for seniors who use programs like Medicare. 'For every dollar we were supposed to be reimbursed, we only received 78 cents,' said Meir Gelley, CEO of Nationwide Healthcare. Several local representatives were at the hearing, including Rep. Robert Matzie, who represents Beaver County. 'Sounds to me like we've got a crisis. It's that simple,' Matzie said. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Animal fighting still exists' Pennsylvania Dems look to fund investigations into issue
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — House Democrats have announced plans to introduce a bill that would fund investigations into animal fighting. The House Majority Policy Committee and Legislative Animal Protection Caucus held a joint hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 19, to discuss the issue of animal fighting and how they can combat it. During the hearing, Democrats from the House announced plans for a bill that would allow law enforcement to access the Commonwealth's funds to combat illegal gambling. 'Animal fighting still exists, and testifiers detailed how and why Pennsylvania needs to fund criminal investigations to combat animal fighting and care for its victims,' House Majority Policy Committee Vice Chair Rep. Mary Isaacson, who represents portions of Philadelphia, said. Testifiers at the hearing detailed how animal fighting is a breeding ground for both violence and criminal activity, including drug trafficking, child sexual assault, illegal firearms, money laundering and domestic violence. For more on the hearing, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
