PCPA has announced the availability of its 2005/06 state budget position. Members are encouraged to share this position with legislators and their staff, member organization employees, member boards, and other interested parties.
It is important to utilize the budget position in discussions so that the provider community speaks with one voice. However, it is also helpful to correlate that with individual organization concerns and issues; talking points for such discussions were shared in the January 11 Legislative Alert and can be found on the association’s web site in the Legislative Affairs section.
Highlights
of the Budget Position
There are several key components to the 2005/06 state budget position including:
- the proposal for a permanent funding solution for the mental health/mental retardation/drug and alcohol system, which includes the need for passage of a permanent inflationary adjustment rate (previously referred to as cost-of-living adjustment or "COLA") mechanism tied to an index and dedicated taxes for D&A;
- follow up on the status of the 2004/05 COLA placed into the budget and bill and passed into law for the current fiscal year;
- the need for an inflationary adjustment rate (or COLA) for the 2005/06 state budget year, based on the Home Health Market Basket Index; and
- restoration of proposed Medical Assistance reductions.
Harrisburg
Lobby Day Scheduled
The Harrisburg Lobby Day has been scheduled for June 7 in the Capitol. More
details will follow, but the annual event will commence with member legislative
meetings in the morning and culminate with a press conference in the Capitol’s
Main Rotunda at noon. Lobby Day is an excellent opportunity for members to
meet with legislators in their Capitol offices and speak with Harrisburg staff
regarding budgetary concerns and issues. Look for information regarding registration
with PCPA, legislative packets and talking points materials, and legislative
speakers in the weeks ahead.
* Lobby Day had been tentatively scheduled for May 24, however the legislature will not be in session that week. Therefore, Lobby Day will occur on June 7.
