Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Medical Assistance Services
 
Board
Board of Medical Assistance Services
 
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6/28/21  9:03 am
Commenter: Hartwood Foundation, Inc.

Increased FMAP HCBS Funding
 

The additional funding available through the increased FMAP should be used to help stabilize the service system as providers face a rapidly worsening DSP workforce crisis compounded by the "post" pandemic increase in competition for employees across all industries. The relationship between the individual and the DSP providing personal care support is the bedrock of a healthy service system. It is critical that providers be positioned to attract and retain staff with the requisite skills, knowledge and work attitude to provide quality services. Programs and services are closing across Virginia as a result of the DSP workforce crisis, driven almost entirely by inadequate wages. Service capacity can not be built if there is no workforce. FMAP funding should be used to bridge the gap until such time that rates are re-based as mandated by the General Assembly. As all providers have unique needs vis-a-vis the staffing crisis, the simplest way to manage this is to pay providers an increased rate based on their claims paid for prescribed time periods (ie. month-by-month or quarter-by-quarter).  

CommentID: 99274