January 26th, 2012

The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW) continues efforts to target welfare abuse and fraud, resulting in an enrollment decline of more than 100,000 through November.  Now the DPW has changed its reporting method resulting in a significantly lower decline in enrollment during the same period and a reported increase in enrollment since November.

The new calculation methods have drawn criticism from legal advocacy groups.  DPW argues the new method is different, but just as accurate as the old one.  Among the concerns facing the DPW is the refusal to disclose the new calculation method.  Others find the timing of the new method suspicious.

For more information, see the Philadelphia Inquirer.