August 28, 2026

HARRISBURG - Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon), Republican chair of the House Human Services Committee, reports the committee held a hearing to discuss House Bill 1939. The bi-partisan bill would increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for direct support professionals (DSPs) serving individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism.

House Bill 1939 is a bill from Rep. Jessica Benham (D-Allegheny) and co-prime sponsored by Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny).

During the hearing, Department of Human Services Deputy Secretary Kristin Ahrens said the Office of Developmental Programs currently serves 62,000 people of all ages registered for services; 42,000 of those individuals receive services through one of four home and community waivers, which are the rates under discussion.

Nick Kratz, vice president of Government Relations for the Pennsylvania Advocacy and Resources for Autism and Intellectual Disability, said his organization supports any action that would lead to annual increases for direct service providers.

"A decade ago, as outlined, there wasn't a rate-setting process," Kratz said. "It was at the whim and mercy of the Legislature and administration at the time."

Rose Baumann, a Washington County mother who left her job to care for her autistic son because of gaps in in-home services, described the challenges families face.

"He is significantly impacted by symptoms of profound autism," Baumann said. "Clinicians call what he has level three autism; it's the highest needs category. He needs significant support from qualified, and I do say qualified, providers to accomplish the most basic tasks of daily living."

Tena Ezekiel a direct service provider with Invision Human Services, said House Bill 1939 would make it possible to hire and retain staff, which she said would lead to more consistent staff and better care.

Rep. Ann Flood (R-Northampton), who had a child with severe disabilities acknowledges families often spend years waiting for care.

Heffley said lawmakers want to ensure families who need care can find it in their homes. However, he said ideology could get in the way of meeting those goals.

A recording of the meeting can be found here: Human Services Committee - August 18, 2026.

Representative Doyle Heffley
122nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Andrew Forgotch
717.772.9905
[email protected]