(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

Behavioral-health providers in Pennsylvania face financial instability because of inconsistent rate increases, impacting staff recruitment and retention. In a survey by the Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth and Family Services, one provider stated that when increases occur, seventy percent goes to salaries, twenty to occupancy, and ten percent to insurance. Adelphoi CEO Nancy Kukovich recommends improved Behavioral Health Managed Care Organizations review processes for rate increase requests, citing insufficient state oversight over the rate request process. She says their evidence-based multi-systemic therapy is in need of a master’s-level therapist, but due to lack of funding it’s been difficult to recruit for this position.