Feb 23 2010
In a new statewide poll released by PANPHA, which conducted a head-to-head comparison of the state's most important issues, Pennsylvanians believe senior care services should be one of the top funding priorities, placing it ahead of roads and bridges, environmental programs and the arts.
Funding for senior care services, which include a wide range of housing and health-related service options for the elderly, ranked third among respondents, behind public education and public safety. It ranked higher among Pennsylvanians than funding for highways and bridges (54 percent to 35 percent). The disparity was considerably larger when comparing senior-services funding to environmental programs, including state parks (80 to 13) and the arts, including museums (80 to 14).
"We think this poll is going to open some eyes," said PANPHA President and CEO Ron Barth. "We wanted to see where funding senior services ranks with other budgetary items, so we put the issue head-to-head to see where it ranks with Pennsylvania residents. We all know difficult decisions have to be made in this budget, but this poll shows that the overwhelming majority of Pennsylvania citizens believe policymakers and legislators need to place a higher priority on senior-services funding than nearly every other issue. The time has come for Pennsylvania to take the steps necessary to fund the programs and services needed to care for one of the largest elderly populations in the nation."
Other key findings of the poll include:
- Fifty-eight percent of respondents believe the state's share of funding for senior services should be increased; only 1 percent believe it should be cut; and
- Sixty-nine percent believe the state should increase Medicaid funding reimbursements, as opposed to what currently is taking place – passing on increases at the local level to private pay residents.
Susquehanna Polling & Research conducted the poll Jan. 20-24. The poll included 650 Pennsylvanians at least 18 years or older.