Government Relations
• Investments in Higher Education combines the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education ( PASSHE ) and Community Colleges under a new , united governance structure with a 15 % increase in funding for the new system
Economic Development
This proposed budget builds on Governor Shapiro ’ s Ten-Year Economic Development Strategy announcement from early February , which set various goals for 2033 and outlined the administration ’ s plan to reach those goals . This budget proposal calls for $ 600 million in new and expanded investments aimed at increasing PA ’ s competitiveness , ultimately creating an environment that attracts businesses and workforce .
Investments in Workforce , including raising the minimum wage from $ 7.25 to $ 15 per hour , as well as $ 2 million for new appropriations to support employers transitioning to skillsbased hiring as well as $ 2 million for Career Pathways , which will facilitate a one-stop-shop for career opportunities
Safety
• $ 37.5 million increase to Violence Intervention and Prevention ( VIP ) program in Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency as well as $ 37.5 million for the Gun Violence Investigation and Prosecution appropriation to continue enhanced law enforcement response to gun violence
• $ 29.6 million for the Department of Corrections to continue providing medication assisted treatment incarcerated individuals struggling with Opioid Use Disorder
Investments in Families
• $ 44.4 million to create a subsidy for low- to middle- income Pennsylvanians on the cusp of being able to afford health insurance
• $ 20 million increase for community based mental health services , $ 60 million per year by 2025-26
• $ 10 million to support the 988 Network , which provides mental health services
• $ 5 million to maintain walk-in mental health crisis stabilization centers
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT …
Victories on Medicaid
As first reported to members in December and detailed for you last month ( including the January / February issue of the Journal , page 8 ), PDA ’ s advocacy efforts paid off when the Pennsylvania legislature appropriated more funding specifically earmarked to raise dental Medicaid fees .
The Department of Human Services ( DHS ) was directed to use $ 12 million to make a one-time extra payment to Medicaid dentists on claims from calendar year 2022 that include 31 specific dental codes . You can find the details on these codes in a chart on the PDA website , PDA Go mobile app and desktop ( in the Advocacy / Legislation / Regulations resource folder ) and on page 8 of the January / February issue .
PDA confirmed that DHS is currently working on validating the claims data from 2022 and will process payments as gross adjustments in the PROMISe system . Medicaid dentists who submitted claims in 2022 that include the 31 codes should receive the extra payment this year .
More good news follows when another $ 12 million will be used to increase fees for these same 31 codes , effective on January 1 , 2025 . DHS also applied for a federal match ; if approved , DHS will have up to another $ 24 million reserved just for Medicaid dentists .
Reminder : The chart detailing the Medicaid fee increases is available at padental . org / advocacy in the Legislative Agenda section .
8 MARCH / APRIL 2024 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL