Home healthcare workers sat down with legislators on Monday, March 3, for an open discussion on the challenges they face. It was the first in a series of fireside chats hosted by Hearts for Home Care, an advocacy group pushing for better wages and stronger support for home healthcare employees.  
 
The discussion, held at Beacon Light, in the city of Warren, brought together caregivers and lawmakers to address issues like low pay, staffing shortages, and limited resources. Laura Ness, Deputy Executive Director for Hearts for Home Care, emphasized the strain on the industry.  
 
"Home care providers are really suffering, and when they suffer, the clients and employees they care for feel the impact," Ness said. "For every 10 home care workers we hire throughout the year, about eight leave for higher-paying jobs, and the statistics are worse for personal care providers."  
 
State Representative Kathy Rapp and Senator Scott Hutchinson listened to concerns and acknowledged the need for change.  
 
"We need to put more dollars specifically into home healthcare to provide for our most needy and challenged citizens across the Commonwealth," Rapp said.  
 
Hutchinson added, "We have to think about the proper role of government—what we can truly afford. Not adding more bells and whistles, but doing the basics: helping individuals who, through no fault of their own, need assistance. To me, that is a priority."  
 
Advocates say these discussions are essential to keeping the issue in front of lawmakers. Mena Louies, Director of Program Development for the PA Home Care Association, said the meeting gave legislators insight they can bring to future policy discussions.  
 
"It was nice to be able to offer this information to legislators so that when they attend meetings and committees, they can voice the same sentiments they heard today," Lewis said.  
 
With 11 more fireside chats scheduled across Pennsylvania, Hearts for Home Care plans to continue pushing for legislative action.

These events will lead up to the PA Home Care Association’s 2025 Advocacy Day at the State Capitol Complex in Harrisburg on Tuesday, April 8th.  
 
For more information, visit here.