Senator Yudichak, Senator Baker, Senator Hutchinson and Senator Brooks Stand Together to Support Moratorium on Scheduled Closing of Polk and White Haven State Centers

HARRISBURG – Senator John Yudichak (D-14), Senator Lisa Baker (R-20), Senator Scott Hutchinson (R-21), and Senator Michele Brooks (R-50) will introduce legislation that would institute a moratorium on the scheduled closing of the Polk State Center and White Haven State Center.

“The unilateral decision made by the Department of Human Services to close Polk and White Haven State Centers is forcing the families who call these Centers home to make unimaginably difficult decisions about the quality of care for their loved ones,” Senator John Yudichak said. “During this challenging time, the hard-working employees of the Centers, who also face an uncertain future, have rallied around these families. In that spirit, legislators have come together in a bipartisan fashion to craft legislation that would impose an immediate moratorium on the closure of White Haven State Center and Polk State Center.”

“A moratorium affords the leaders and residents crucial time to fully explore options to closing and allows the employees and families to ascertain whether there are acceptable alternatives to the care provided at the centers,” Senator Lisa Baker said.

“The Department of Human Services is seemingly unmoved by the heartfelt appeals from the families of the residents who will be uprooted by the closure of these centers,” Senator Scott Hutchinson said. “This move by DHS will be disruptive beyond description for those who have known no other home. That means it is incumbent on the Legislature to take action to protect these vulnerable individuals.”

“After chairing a three-hour Senate Health and Human Services Committee hearing, it became even more evident that the decision to close Polk and White Haven was made without talking to the residents and families affected, and without the input of the staff, who are the loving, familiar faces who have cared for the residents for years. It was also made without having concrete knowledge of whether adequate capacity exists to provide appropriate care to all residents in the community,” Senator Michele Brooks said. “At the very least, there should be a moratorium on this decision to have a more thorough discussion that ensures that our most vulnerable citizens in our Commonwealth will be cared for in the most appropriate setting possible.  While a community setting may be suitable for many, the mortality rates cited after other closures are troubling, as is the distance families would be forced to travel to see their loved ones.”

A co-sponsorship memo has been circulated in the Senate and can be found here.

 

Contact:
Andrew M. Seder
aseder@pasen.gov
(570) 226-5960

Back to Top