August 23, 2010 - Late last week, after hundreds of calls from VAPCA members and our allies, Governor McDonnell announced that he will use the enhanced FMAP funds to restore many of the cuts to our home care program, including:

- Restoring the 480 hours of respite care for our consumers and loved ones.

- Restoring the 5% pay cut for Personal Care Assistants and other Medicaid providers, starting October 1, 2010. However, the pay cuts will not be restored for the past months, from July 1 - Sept 30.

We may not have gotten everything we wanted, but this is a major victory for Quality Home Care. Members of VAPCA like you have been fighting these cuts since December, making calls, sending e-mails, and traveling to Richmond and DC to meet with our elected officials. And, now, your hard work has finally paid off!

However, the fight for Quality Home Care isn't over yet. The FMAP funds will only restore our pay cut and respite hours through June 30, 2011 unless we advocate for more funding for home care.

Please call the Governor's office at 804-786-2211 and tell him: "Thank You for restoring the cuts to Home Care, and please strengthen home care in next year's budget."

Your fellow PCAs and consumers are counting on you.