Pennsylvania nursing homes see the months ahead as an opportunity to keep momentum going for its key priority subjects: reimbursement and workforce, according to a progress report on the long-term care policy and legislative fronts delivered by the Pennsylvania Health Care Association (PHCA).

Tara Ober, PHCA’s director of communications, described the many facets of the organization’s advocacy and educational efforts, starting with the ongoing Care for Aging workforce initiative. C4A Pennsylvania – An initiative of Pennsylvania Health Care Association Care for the Aging, which PHCA started in February, serves as a comprehensive public resource to showcase the sector’s career pathways. The dedicated online presence for the program has a jobs board and a slate of educational pieces like career education, success stories, and training pathways.

On what’s new, Ober said PHCA’s development team is currently creating two additional resources for Care for the Aging site visitors: an interactive map displaying PHCA members and their websites via county-level hover effects, and a comprehensive map of Pennsylvania CNA training centers including contact details.

“We expect these new features to be ready for use in the next few weeks,” she said.

The Legislative Arena

Switching to advocacy, PHCA is continuing efforts to sway state lawmakers to support Senate Bills 114, 115, and 116, which together form a legislative package to address the long-term care workforce crisis.

Ober said all three bills have passed the Pennsylvania Senate and currently reside in their respective House committees. The association is prioritizing this package for passage either as a part of the state budget process or in the fall, she added.

A closer look at the bills:

Senate Bill 114

Focus: Modernizing the Nurse Aide Training Program by establishing a statewide curriculum, creating a "train-the-trainer" model, and allowing student and graduate nurses to immediately sit for the nurse aide exam after completing key clinical prerequisite courses.

Current State: The bill passed the Senate in September 2025. As of today, it is in the House Professional Licensure Committee.

Senate Bill 115

Focus: Allows prospective caregivers in assisted living and personal care settings to take a skills competency exam in lieu of obtaining a high school diploma or GED.

Current State: The bill passed the Senate on May 7, 2025, and currently resides in the House Human Services Committee. PHCA is advocating for the state House to act on the bill and send it to the governor's desk.

Senate Bill 116

Focus: Allows high school juniors and seniors to earn up to two elective credits toward graduation for employment in a congregate healthcare setting (including nursing facilities, personal care homes, assisted living residences, or hospitals).

Current State: The bill passed unanimously on the Senate floor in February 2026. It is currently in the House Education Committee positioned for further advancement, and its passage is part of the overall strategy for legislative action.

Getting to the Core

In the world of long-term care reimbursement, Pennsylvania SNFs face the same music as in most states, with the stability of the sector relying heavily on addressing a structural Medicaid funding gap.

Ober said in Pennsylvania, on average, Medicaid pays $256.22 per day while average costs reach $318.82, a disparity exacerbated by the Budget Adjustment Factor (BAF), which artificially lowers reimbursement and creates financial uncertainty for providers.

“These financial strains directly impact the workforce crisis, as providers struggle to raise wages, expand training, and invest in retention efforts while competing with better-funded healthcare settings,” she said.

To address these persistent shortages, which strain resident access to care across the healthcare continuum, PHCA is advocating for a reform agenda focused on:

1. Reforming Medicaid reimbursement to match actual care costs and fixing the BAF to ensure appropriated dollars reach the bedside.

2. Strengthening the workforce through legislative initiatives like Senate Bills 114, 115, and 116, which focus on standardized training, career ladder development, and student loan forgiveness.

3. Fostering labor-industry partnerships to invest in worker wages, benefits, and retirement stability, as seen in recent collective bargaining agreements covering 27 facilities.

“As Pennsylvania’s population ages, addressing these challenges is critical to ensuring families do not lose access to essential care when they need it most,” Ober said.

Comments or questions? Contact Patrick Connole at pconnole@parkplacelive.com.