WHEREAS, To increase opportunities for older Pennsylvanians and individuals with physical disabilities to remain in their homes, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) has begun planning for a new initiative, Community HealthChoices (CHC); and
WHEREAS, CHC is intended to coordinate health care coverage and improve the quality of the health care experience – serving more people in communities rather than in facilities, which gives them the opportunity to work, spend more time with their families, and experience an overall better quality of life; and
WHEREAS, The population affected by CHC includes older Pennsylvanians receiving long-term services and supports (LTSS) paid for by the state and Pennsylvanians at least 21 years old who receive both Medicare and Medicaid; and
WHEREAS, Under CHC, managed care organizations (MCOs) will provide physical health care and LTSS for older people, people with physical disabilities, and others who are receiving both Medicare and Medicaid; LTSS help individuals to perform daily activities in their home such as bathing, dressing, preparing meals, and administering medications; and
WHEREAS, DHS will contract with between 2 and 5 MCOs to cover the estimated 420,000 individuals who are currently receiving LTSS in the community and in nursing facilities; and
WHEREAS, CHC will be phased in across the state over the next three years using the five geographic HealthChoices zones, with Phase Two covering the Southeast zone, including Philadelphia, scheduled to begin on January 1, 2018; and
WHEREAS, The forthcoming changes for Philadelphians who are receiving LTSS or are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid require public education and input; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That council does hereby authorize the Committee on Disabled & Persons with Special Needs and On Aging to hold hearings regarding Pennsylvania’s Community HealthChoices initiative.
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