PA must return $15 Million to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

May 20th, 2010

PA must return $15 million to the federal government, due to a miscalculation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

PA Dept. of Public Welfare seeking federal funding aid

March 8th, 2010

More people needing assistance, combined with the rising cost of healthcare, makes for a stretched DPW budget.

Medical Assistance Advisory Committee discusses pay for performance, CHIP

June 26th, 2009

The general tone of the meeting: PIT needed, SB 850 not.

Rendell asks Cabinet to cut $500 million from their budgets

June 17th, 2009

In Gov. Rendell’s emergency meeting with his Cabinet today he shared a list of cuts for the departments that will help chop $500 million from his currently $29 billion budget.

PA Sec. of Public Welfare comments on Smart Pharmacy plan

May 28th, 2009

Estelle Richman responds to critics of the plan, who doubted its savings estimates.

John Baer of the Philadelphia Daily News: Pols get another chance to do right

April 8th, 2009

Baer urges Pennsylvanians to urge the legislature approve a bill that would authorize the Dept. of Public Welfare to purchase prescription drugs for those who receive medical assistance.

Senate Budget Hearing with Dept. of Aging

March 5th, 2009

Yesterday’s Senate Hearing with the Budget Secretary and Department of Aging offered answers to some important questions regarding lottery funds, long-term care insurance home care-givers and personal care and assisted living. Concerns regarding the proposed merging of the DPW and the Dept. of Aging were also addressed.

New study reflects hard times in Southeastern PA

February 24th, 2009

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports on a Community Health Data Base survey indicating that families in the Philadelphia area have cut back on food and medication due to the rough economic times.

Pennsylvania wasted millions of dollars on bad Medicaid payments

January 29th, 2009

The state wastes millions of dollars every year on erroneous Medicaid payments for residents who are no longer eligible for the benefits, according to a state audit released yesterday; reports the Philadelphia Inquirer.

GOP legislators called for sharp reduction in government spending, tax cuts

January 27th, 2009

Rep. Daryl Metcalfe led a press conference held today by Republican legislators, at which they called for drastic budget and tax cuts.