This week’s episode of “WisBusiness: the Podcast” is with Mike Pochowski, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Assisted Living Association.
Pochowski discusses some of the group’s top policy priorities, such as funding for the state’s Family Care program that helps low-income residents live in long-term care settings such as assisted living facilities.
“Over the past several years, we’ve been working with the governor’s office, the state Legislature, along with the Department of Health Services to try and get as much funding, or additional funding into the Family Care program,” he said.
This funding helps support provider facilities across the state, he said, noting it got a recent federal boost from the American Rescue Plan Act. With that funding, DHS instituted a minimum fee schedule last year, setting minimum rates for assisted living facilities that participate in the Family Care Medicaid waiver program, Pochowski explained.
“Which is then helpful, because prior to that, it was really more of strict negotiation with the managed care organizations to try and figure out what those rates should be … this at least sets a floor for what that reimbursement should be,” he said.
The group is looking to see about $202 million in the upcoming biennial state budget to continue the minimum fee schedule in its current form, he said.
Pochowski points to multiple assisted living facility closures in Wisconsin in recent years, arguing the Family Care funding is critical for these care providers.
“Ever since COVID in 2020 we’ve seen the cost of goods just really skyrocket, and from that, based upon how the Family Care program is set up, it doesn’t really adjust to the economic realities that have been in place,” he said.
He highlights the proposal for improving the economics of providing long-term care, referencing higher labor costs as a major challenge.
“We’re hearing from both sides of the aisle that they definitely want to help us, that’s kind of the main thing, that everyone understands the challenges that long-term care, that assisted living faces,” he said.
Listen to the podcast below, sponsored by UW-Madison:
