The Pennsylvania Legislature is considering an update to the Older Adults Protective Services Act (OAPSA), which includes several provisions to impact services, staffing, and regulatory reporting for RCPA members in all of the Department of Human Services arenas. RCPA and its members strongly support having protections of older Pennsylvanians; however, our recommendations focused on provisions that impact: Expanded fingerprinting and background check requirements; Hiring flexibility and provider operational responsibilities; and Alignment with existing HCBS operational frameworks. The recommendations highlighted the need for the legislative process to preserve and support access to HCBS services, workforce sustainability, operational feasibility, and continuity of care for older adults in the Commonwealth. The full response can be viewed here .
RCPA wishes to take this opportunity to thank those who attended the HR 1 Medicaid Summit that was held last month. The summit provided an opportunity for the more than 350 participants to learn about the pending changes in Federal Medicaid as well as its implications in Pennsylvania and those who advocate and provide services for this vulnerable population. RCPA would also like to thank our panelists for their commitment to engaging with our members in ensuring collaboration and partnership throughout the implementation. This summit served to represent one of the many facets of advocacy and support for our members across our divisions and RCPA’s advocacy efforts on the HR 1 Medicaid impacts. Available now are the presentations from both the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and from Leesa Allen, RCPA Medicaid Consultant . We will also be releasing the RCPA HR 1 Medicaid Resource Handbook in the near future, which will provide an overview of policy and practice implementation at both the Federal and State levels, a Medicaid FAQ, and recent updates on developing areas, such as the State Directive Payments and Fraud, Waste, and Abuse standards. RCPA will continue to communicate to members regarding HR 1 Medicaid updates and events, including a Medicaid Summit at the RCPA Conference. Visit the RCPA website for details regarding our conference, and note that we plan to share the registration brochure within the coming weeks. If you have additional questions regarding the RCPA Medicaid Handbook, please forward them to RCPA Policy Specialist Emma Sharp .
RCPA is excited to share that we will opening registration within the coming weeks for our 2026 Conference Power in Purpose: Promoting Possibilities , which will be held from September 29 – October 2 at the Hershey Lodge. This conference is a landmark event for the Pennsylvania behavioral health, brain injury, children’s, early intervention, intellectual and developmental disabilities, medical rehabilitation, and physical disabilities and aging provider communities. Our Registration Brochure will contain details regarding our schedule, workshops, keynote and plenary speakers, and, of course, registration! In addition, RCPA continues to seek sponsors, exhibitors, and advertisers for the conference. By completing the Sponsor/Exhibitor/Advertiser Brochure , you guarantee your organization's promotion in all future communications as well as the upcoming Registration Brochure. You will also be showcased on the RCPA Conference Sponsor and Exhibitor web pages. Sponsorships and exhibit booths are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline to submit all materials and be listed on the website, mobile app, and in the conference program is Tuesday, September 8 . Please contact Conference Coordinator Carol Ferenz with any questions. RCPA thanks the following organizations that have committed their support to our 2026 Conference. You help make our conference an extraordinary, educational, and meaningful event for Pennsylvania's provider communities!