When compared with most other states, Pennsylvania is long overdue in regulating "assisted living" facilities for the benefit of seniors and disabled adults with low-to-moderate incomes.

A total of 37 states already have defined such facilities as institutions that can care for Medicaid patients and be regulated by the states.

To its credit, the Rendell administration has launched an attempt to bring about broad changes aimed at lowering the cost and widening the scope of health-care services for the people in these facilities. As part of that effort, a bill will be introduced in the coming weeks to define an intermediate level of care for residents who need fewer medical services than offered by a nursing home.

It is important to note that similar bills are being planned by two Republicans in the state General Assembly. It is to be hoped that quick compromises will be possible on differences between the proposals put forth by the legislators and the plan advocated by Rendell.

Pennsylvania is the state with the third-oldest population in the nation. Twenty percent of the Keystone State's population is made up of people over age 60.

The costs associated with caring for these people is enormous and will continue to grow as baby boomers enter the ranks of the retired.

Considering the forward-thinking actions of other states and the size of this state's 60-plus population, it's both puzzling and troubling why Pennsylvania is only now actively moving on this issue.

One of Rendell's predecessors should have recognized the need for this initiative and attempted to make the Keystone State a leader, rather than a follower, in officially acknowledging the important role of assisted-living arrangements for the elderly population, especially people with limited resources.

"Assisted living is a less-costly alternative to nursing-home care for individuals who need the availability of 24-hour support," said Estelle Richman, secretary of the state Department of Public Welfare, in testimony before a House committee.

Of equal importance is the fact that many people prefer to live in a setting more like home, rather than in a nursing-home environment.

Assisted-living arrangements provide that kind of opportunity, while lowering the cost of caring for these individuals — of big importance regarding those covered by government- and, thus, taxpayer-financed Medicaid benefits.

The effort geared toward widening the scope of health-care services available to those in question while actively working to control costs creates a win-win situation for government, the care recipients and the taxpayers who fund the care — even though some assisted-living providers and facilities might oppose what they envision as a new example of Pennsylvania government intrusion.

The assisted-living initiative deserves to move through the legislative process smoothly. It must not become bogged down by the partisanship that so often rears its ugly head under the state Capitol dome.