New PA Nursing Home Bill Aims to Tackle Crisis in Long-Term Care

New PA Nursing Home Bill Aims to Tackle Crisis in Long-Term Care

Pennsylvania lawmakers have introduced an important new piece of legislation aimed at stabilizing and strengthening the state’s troubled nursing home system. House Bill 1310, proposed by State Representatives Ryan Bizzarro and Maureen Madden, seeks to combat the ongoing crisis in Pennsylvania’s long-term care facilities by establishing predictable reimbursement funding for nursing homes across the Commonwealth.

At KBD Attorneys, we view this as a long-overdue and necessary step forward—but it’s only one piece of a larger puzzle. For years, we’ve represented families throughout Pennsylvania who have suffered due to nursing home neglect, abuse, and systemic failures. The financial strain that facilities cite as a reason for understaffing and unsafe conditions has very real consequences: untreated bedsores, fatal falls, malnutrition, and preventable deaths.

This blog breaks down what House Bill 1310 could change, why it matters, and how our firm continues to hold nursing homes accountable—regardless of their financial situation.

The Nursing Home Crisis in Pennsylvania

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, more than 30 nursing homes and long-term care facilities have shut down in Pennsylvania. The state currently ranks among the top five in the nation in terms of its elderly population, yet it lags behind neighboring states in terms of nursing home reimbursement rates. As a result, many facilities struggle to cover costs, retain staff, and provide quality care.

According to Rep. Bizzarro, this bill would replace an outdated formula that was initially intended as a one-year fix—over 20 years ago. The result has been decades of underfunding, uncertainty, and piecemeal solutions that fail to prioritize elderly residents’ health and dignity.

House Bill 1310 aims to correct that.

What House Bill 1310 Does

The proposed bill would:

• Establish a predictable funding formula to determine the minimum reimbursement rate nursing homes receive

• Help aging services providers plan and budget for long-term staffing and care improvements

• Replace outdated policies that have led to underfunding for decades

• Apply to government-run, nonprofit, and for-profit facilities alike

With reliable funding, nursing homes would no longer need to guess how much support they’ll receive from the state. According to Rep. Madden, the bill gives facilities “the opportunity to budget and plan accordingly,” which is critical to improving resident care and avoiding closures.

Why It Matters to Pennsylvania Families

We’ve seen firsthand how systemic underfunding impacts the elderly and their families. Whether it’s one nurse taking care of 30 residents on an overnight shift, or facilities failing to maintain safety standards, the consequences are devastating.

KBD Attorneys has worked on numerous cases involving:

• Bedsores and untreated infections

• Nursing home falls and fractures

• Dehydration and malnutrition

• Medication errors

• Emotional and physical abuse

• Wrongful death due to staff negligence

These are not isolated incidents—they’re symptoms of an industry in crisis. While increased funding won’t solve everything, it’s a foundational step toward change.

KBD Attorneys: Fighting for Nursing Home Residents’ Rights

As experienced Pennsylvania nursing home abuse attorneys, we’ve fought for justice in nearly every corner of the state, from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to Harrisburg, Erie, and Scranton. Our firm investigates cases of elder neglect and abuse, files lawsuits against negligent facilities, and pushes for accountability when vulnerable residents are harmed.

We’ve also been leaders in tracking and responding to key developments in elder law, including the Supreme Court’s decision in Talevski, which affirmed the rights of residents in publicly operated nursing homes to sue under federal law.

What we know is this: even with better funding, nursing home corporations must be held to high standards. When they fail—whether due to financial constraints or corporate negligence—we take action.

What House Bill 1310 Could Mean for Nursing Home Negligence Cases

If passed, House Bill 1310 would have implications for both residents and the legal cases surrounding their care. By establishing clearer expectations for nursing home funding, it removes one of the most common excuses used by facilities accused of abuse or neglect: “We didn’t have the money.”

Predictable funding puts the burden of responsibility squarely back on operators. When families come to us after a loved one has suffered from:

• Severe bedsores

• Unexplained injuries

• Malnourishment

• Wandering/elopement

• Physical or sexual assault

—we evaluate whether their harm could have been prevented through proper staffing, training, and oversight. If this bill becomes law, it strengthens the argument that nursing homes should have the resources they need—and no longer have excuses for failing to meet basic care standards.

How You Can Support Accountability in Long-Term Care

If you’re a Pennsylvania resident, you can support House Bill 1310 by contacting your local state representative. Let them know you stand with families and elder care advocates in demanding predictable, adequate funding for long-term care.

You can also:

• Monitor your loved one’s care closely

• Report suspected abuse or neglect to the PA Department of Health

• Reach out to KBD Attorneys for a free, confidential case evaluation

Final Thoughts: A Step in the Right Direction

House Bill 1310 is not a silver bullet—but it’s a meaningful step toward addressing the structural issues that have plagued Pennsylvania’s nursing homes for decades. As Rep. Madden noted, “This bill is desperately needed.”

At KBD Attorneys, we’re committed to fighting for safe, respectful, and dignified care for every nursing home resident in Pennsylvania. Until every facility is held accountable, and every family is given justice, our work continues.

If your loved one has been harmed in a nursing home, contact us today. Our team of Philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers and PA elder care attorneys is here to help.

Call us or visit kbaattorneys.com to schedule your free consultation.