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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Ruth
A. Myers |
State Rep. Phyllis
Mundy |
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Mundy proposes study to address senior care issues
HARRISBURG, April 24 – As chairman of the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee, state Rep. Phyllis Mundy wants to ensure that all older Pennsylvanians have access to the long-term care they need.
“Pennsylvania has one of the largest elderly populations in the country, and some estimates show it will grow by as much as 13 percent by 2025,” Mundy said. “We need to examine the long-term care services we presently offer to make sure that we can handle the increased demand for these services in the future.”
Mundy has authored legislation (H.B. 1071) that would establish the Senior Care and Services Study Commission. The commission would be charged with three duties:
- To assess the health-care needs of the state’s current and future population of senior citizens, including the need for the various levels of care and services;
- To evaluate the ability of the current nursing home assessment and service delivery system to meet projected needs; and
- To identify available funds to meet the long-term health-care needs of the state’s senior population.
“Substantial state and federal dollars are spent each year to provide necessary services to senior citizens, and if there are any ways we can more efficiently and effectively spend those dollars, we need to make those changes now.” Mundy said. “The investment will pay off in the long run when we have the best possible service delivery system providing the best possible care to those who need it.”
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