Benninghoff Ensures Money from Potential State Center Closures Continues to Protect Community’s Most Vulnerable

July 7, 2022

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) Thursday applauded state budget-related language that ensures any money saved from the potential closure of state centers in Pennsylvania remains in the community to continue serving those with intellectual disabilities.

“One of my top priorities in helping to craft this year’s state budget was to ensure people get the continued care they need, and their families are supported, should any of our state centers be closed,” Benninghoff said. “As a result of our commitment to the most vulnerable, this budget requires that any potential savings from these closures be reinvested into community-based services.”

State centers are run by the Department of Human Services under the Office of Developmental Programs’ Bureau of State Operated Facilities. They provide services to Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities that help them attain an everyday life typical of most Pennsylvanians.

The reinvestment of any state center savings is just one of the many ways in which the 2022-23 budget protects Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable.

To further help those with intellectual disabilities, the budget provides funding for 832 Pennsylvanians to move off waiting lists and into services.

It also increases the State Food Purchase Program by $2 million to help eliminate hunger in Pennsylvania and support the agriculture industry.

The budget also allocates $250 million in federal relief funds to help long-term care providers, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, personal care homes, and home and community-based services. It further supports nursing homes by including $294 million to provide for a $35 per day increase in the Medicaid reimbursement rates effective in January.

It also increases the Medicaid reimbursement for basic and advanced life support for EMS providers to help them make ends meet and provide additional support and resources.

“Pennsylvania’s nursing homes, other assisted living facilities, and EMS companies have faced significant challenges over the last two years, and they have risen to the occasion despite limited resources, labor shortages and increased demand,” Benninghoff said. “This budget reflects our commitment to take care of them so they can continue to take care of so many Pennsylvanians at the highest level of service.”