State Budget Invests Much Needed Funding to Help Assisted Living Facilities
The Wisconsin Assisted Living Association (WALA) thanks members of the Joint Finance Committee for approving an omnibus motion that provides much needed funding to help assisted living providers deal with increased labor market wages and inflation.
“We are truly grateful to the members of the Joint Finance Committee, legislative leadership, and Governor Tony Evers who have decided to continue to fund the Family Care Rate Setting Initiative along with the Direct Care Workforce Funding Initiative in the upcoming 2025-27 state biennial budget,” stated Michael Pochowski, President & CEO. “Without these critical investments, many assisted living facilities would have endured significant rate decreases at a time when wages and inflation continue to increase. Today’s actions will help many assisted living facilities avert possible closure or exodus from the Family Care program. This will aid in maintaining access to care and services for persons who rely on Medicaid – Family Care.”
The minimum fee schedule was created by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) for home and community-based services (HCBS). The schedule is a list of the minimum rates managed care organizations (MCOs) can pay providers of certain adult long-term care services in Family Care, Family Care Partnership, and the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).
The Direct Care Workforce Funding Initiative provides increases for the direct care and services component of the Family Care program capitation rates to offer much needed wage increases for long-term care caregivers.
Family Care is a state Medicaid waiver program that provides and pays for long-term care services for Wisconsin’s most vulnerable populations of frail elderly and individuals with disabilities. This action will target critically needed increases to address the long-term care workforce crisis. The Family Care Program serves more than 55,000 individuals in Wisconsin. (Family Care | Wisconsin Department of Health Services)
About the Wisconsin Assisted Living Association (WALA)
The Wisconsin Assisted Living Association (WALA) is the largest trade association in Wisconsin representing over 1,800 assisted living facilities. Our mission is to support assisted living communities, staff, and residents through advocacy, education, and service.
