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AARP AARP States Pennsylvania Advocacy

AARP Pennsylvania Issues Statement on Long-Term Care Reform

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 16, 2021

Contact: Angela Foreshaw Rouse, AARP Pennsylvania, aforeshaw@aarp.org, 215-519-4648

AARP Pennsylvania Urges Long-Term Care Reform

Statement from AARP Pennsylvania Manager of Advocacy Teresa Osborne

Harrisburg, PA – “We commend the leadership and membership of the Senate Aging & Youth and Senate Health & Human Services Committees for conducting a joint hearing on the Department of Health’s first package of proposed nursing home regulations.  Transforming the state’s decades-old nursing home regulations could enhance the lives of all nursing home residents, staff and families. 

“The need to update our long-term care regulations to improve nursing homes has been known for years.  Unfortunately, the failure of Pennsylvania to take action has resulted in nursing home residents - including older adults and persons with disabilities - paying a terrible price in personal safety and quality of life.

“The COVID-19 pandemic simultaneously revealed and exacerbated underlying and systemic shortcomings affecting long-term care services and supports in Pennsylvania.  Of the 28,768 COVID-19 deaths in the Commonwealth, 14,053 (nearly 50%) were residents of long-term care facilities.  With the long-term care system now in the spotlight, the moment has arrived for Pennsylvania to take meaningful action to help protect residents and staff in nursing home in the Keystone State.  

“Pennsylvania residents and families deserve to know that any licensed facility they go to will have safe and adequate staffing.  Pennsylvania taxpayers have the right to expect that they will get value for the billions of dollars they invest in nursing home care. 

“As the proposed regulatory package process continues to unfold, AARP Pennsylvania urges the Wolf Administration, General Assembly, nursing home industry, and advocates to work together and quickly to address the ongoing problems that have plagued nursing homes for decades, including direct care worker shortages, transparency, and accountability. The time to reform, improve and invest in Pennsylvania’s nursing home and long-term care system can no longer be delayed.

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About AARP Pennsylvania   AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. AARP Pennsylvania educates and advocates on behalf of our 1.8 million members and all those 50 and older on issues that are important to them, their families and to all Keystone State residents. The organization works to strengthen Pennsylvania communities with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. To learn more, visit us at www.aarp.pa.org or follow @AARPPA on social media. 

About AARP Pennsylvania
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