Page 3 - 2018PHAVoterGuide

Candidates for Governor

SCOTT WAGNER (R)

QUESTION: The goal of Medicaid’s Community HealthChoices program is to enable
people to receive care and support in their own homes rather than in a nursing
facility. Yet, it takes about 3-6 months for individuals’ to be determined financially
eligible for Medicaid before they can get in-home care, while a nursing home is
permitted to presume financial eligibility based on a quick review of one’s income
and assets. How do you plan to address this inconsistency that results in more
people going into the most expensive care, a nursing home, even though most
people want to stay in their own home and it is cheaper for the Medicaid program?

We should be supportive of the choices that individuals, caregivers and
their families make in regards to long term care and services. Having two
different standards, which results in those applying for home-based care
services attempting to navigate through a difficult and tedious process is
unnecessary and unacceptable. As Governor, I will work with the General
Assembly to address these discrepancies with comprehensive legislation.
I will sign legislation to permit presumptive eligibility for home-
based care as well as implementation of processes to streamline and
standardize the eligibility and re-eligibility. Ensuring this legislation becomes law will provide our aging
population and those living with disabilities access to cost-effective care in a timely manner.

QUESTION: The direct care workforce, comprised of individuals who provide direct care to seniors and adults with
disabilities, continues to be plagued by high turnover. DCWs are also one of the lowest paid professionals in healthcare.
Given the current Medicaid rate, averaging $18.23/hr., what thoughts do you have to increase the number entering this
field?

A successful long term care system is dependent upon a quality workforce of direct care workers. I would
absolutely support an increase in the Medicaid rate to ensure that this vital component of our long term
care system are able to obtain a liveable wage. While this is an important step to maintaining this work-
force, we must also take steps to elevate this profession. I would support a proposal to adopt a certifica-
tion program which would not only provide further training and support in their careers, but could also
serve as a career builder for the profession. I would further support the creation of a Direct Care Worker
Committee composed to advocates, workers, providers and trainers to create the curriculum for the cer-
tification for the training program and address current and future issues affecting this workforce. Taking
these steps will enable Pennsylvania to address the current shortages, high turnover rate and inadequate
wages currently facing this profession.

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