End the budget impasse and pass a fair fiscal budget before December 31, 2015

As I’m sure you are aware, the Pennsylvania State Government has still not passed a State Budget. It has been 105+ days which is an all-time record for a budget impasse.

How this affects you and us. As an agency who provides home-care services and relies on government funding for most of our budget, a State budget impasse will impact how we are able to continue providing services. So far, the County Commissioners have been funding our services, but they say that at the end of December, if no budget has passed, they will be out of money to fund this and many more services. This will impact us in a very negative way, as we will not be paid for our services, which means we will not be able to pay our aides, and none of us can work for free.

The Office of Developmental Programs, MH/IDD, has issued a statement that if the budget does not pass by the end of December, they will seek funding elsewhere, however, that is not a guarantee that the money will become available.

We contract with the Department of Human Services, The Office of Long Term Living, and various other agencies that depend on state funding to continue to provide services to the elderly and the disabled. If funding dries up; the state does not pass a budget, the consequences could be dire, for us and for you!

I urge you to contact your legislators, government officials, your representatives in the county in which you live, and let them know how this budget impasse will affect you and how you manage to live from day to day with many agencies providing skilled and non-skilled services. As they say, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

I also urge you to write letters to your congressmen and voice your fears and opinions on the state budget impasse as it will eventually affect you and your ability to maintain your household in the manner in which you are most accustomed!