PA Dept. of Public Welfare seeking federal funding aid
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
The general tone of the meeting: PIT needed, SB 850 not.
Rendell asks Cabinet to cut $500 million from their budgets
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
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
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
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
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
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
Rep. Daryl Metcalfe led a press conference held today by Republican legislators, at which they called for drastic budget and tax cuts.
Opposition against center for troubled youth in Norristown taking action
In Norristown, a group of residents has banned together in opposition to a proposal by a group called Vision Quest to use a section of the Norristown State Hospital as an emergency/crisis diagnostic services center for 12-to-18-year-old youth.
“The intended use is clearly a permitted use and also a necessary function that is critical to the delivery of services required by the (state Department of Public Welfare) DPW,” said Joanne Phillips, the real estate director. “The Department of General Services is advising Vision Quest that they have fully complied with their lease agreement with the Commonwealth and we are authorizing Vision Quest to initiate occupancy of Building 12 at Norristown State Hospital.”
A 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, meeting at Hancock Fire Co., 820 W. Airy St., Norristown with Ward 1 and Ward 2 residents will include a discussion of the Vision Quest proposal.
Visit the Times-Herald for more details.