Governor Calls for Elimination of Waiting Lists; OHCA Requests FPF Roll Back
Governor Calls for Elimination
of Waiting Lists; OHCA Requests FPF Roll Back Ohio Governor Ted
Strickland on Monday called for the elimination of
the waiting list for the PASSPORT program for this fiscal year, as well as
the Assisted Living and PACE programs at the Ohio Department of Aging, by the
end of March. Strickland has called for the transfer of resources from ODJFS to
the Department of Aging to pay for the elimination of the PASSPORT, Assisted
Living and PACE program waiting lists. $490,924 in funds can be transferred
immediately to pay for Home First placements. A transfer of $4,809,076 to
eliminate the waiting list is subject to Controlling Board approval. OHCA has
issued a statement
applauding the decision, but insisting that next critical step for the
Administration is to roll back the 92% increase in the per bed franchise fee
imposed on Ohio’s skilled nursing facilities in this biennium. The statement
indicates that “the increase has put an incredible strain on those facilities’
ability to continue to deliver the quality of care we all want our elderly and
disabled citizens to receive. The key to caring for our elderly and disabled
rests on strengthening the entire continuum of care. If we address only one
segment of the continuum, particularly if it is done on the backs of another
segment, we weaken the whole.” Eliminating waiting lists is a move that OHCA has
long supported; however, it is just one step that is necessary to ensure that
those who need the services of Ohio’s skilled nursing facilities will receive
the care they need and deserve. The Association strongly encouraged the Governor
to quickly act to address this serious issue and provide those who need SNF
services and those who have loved ones in need of those services with the peace
of mind they deserve that quality care will continue to be available when they
need it. Should you have question, please contact
,
614-436-4154.
