New human services efforts to support vulnerable populations are a major part of Governor Tom Wolf’s proposed $36.06 billion FY 2021 budget for Pennsylvania.

The proposed budget, presented to the state legislature earlier this week, includes the following new initiatives:

  • creating pathways to success in the workforce for low-income Pennsylvanians
  • increasing the minimum wage to $15
  • increasing Department of Human Services staffing to support licensing and oversight
  • supporting adults in long-term-care facilities
  • legal services for vulnerable populations
  • direct care worker comprehensive training
  • commitment to performance-based metrics, accountability, and transparency in services and licensing
  • supporting vulnerable populations through home- and community-based services and reducing waiting lists
  • prevention services to support at-risk families
  • improving food security while supporting agriculture

Go here to see DHS’s presentation of these initiatives.

In addition, the Safety-Net Association of Pennsylvania has prepared a detailed memo describing the proposed FY 2021 budget’s implications for Pennsylvania safety-net hospitals and the state’s Medicaid program.  For a copy of this memo, use the “contact us” link in the upper right-hand corner of this page.