Advocates gather at the Pennsylvania Capitol to address senior care crisis

Advocates gathered at the Pennsylvania state Capitol on Tuesday to call on lawmakers to address what they are calling a “senior care crisis.” The group, LeadingAge PA, said Pennsylvania’s nursing home capacity has dropped dramatically since 2020, while the population of residents aged 85 and older is expected to triple by 2050. It attributed the decline to inadequate and unpredictable Medicaid reimbursements and a workforce shortage. “This crisis is now. We call on our state government to act in this budget cycle to stabilize our senior care system and make it accessible for generations to come,” LeadingAge PA President and CEO Gary Pezzano said. LeadingAge PA is calling on lawmakers to stabilize Medicaid reimbursement rates to address the issue.

Advocates gathered at the Pennsylvania state Capitol on Tuesday to call on lawmakers to address what they are calling a “senior care crisis.”

The group, LeadingAge PA, said Pennsylvania’s nursing home capacity has dropped dramatically since 2020, while the population of residents aged 85 and older is expected to triple by 2050.

It attributed the decline to inadequate and unpredictable Medicaid reimbursements and a workforce shortage.

“This crisis is now. We call on our state government to act in this budget cycle to stabilize our senior care system and make it accessible for generations to come,” LeadingAge PA President and CEO Gary Pezzano said.

LeadingAge PA is calling on lawmakers to stabilize Medicaid reimbursement rates to address the issue.