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For Immediate
Release
3/22/11
Ward Announces Measures to
Limit Taxpayer-Funded Methadone Treatment Services
Greensburg, PA – State Sen. Kim Ward (R-39) today announced
that she is introducing two bills that would place common sense limits on
taxpayer-funded methadone treatment services and increase program
accountability.
The first bill would require that the Department of Public
Welfare limit Medicaid payments to 30 months for clients receiving methadone
treatment. The limit is based on a recent Legislative Budget and Finance
Committee (LBFC) Report which found that clients are in treatment an average of
27.3 months.
In addition, the legislation would require DPW to establish
stringent regulations for the inspection of methadone clinics. The regulations
would include compliance with the federal requirements that clients receive a
minimum of 2.5 hours of counseling per month while in treatment.
"Pennsylvanians are a compassionate people, but for too
long that compassion has been exploited through unlimited treatment programs and
lack of accountability," said Ward. "The goal of methadone treatment should be
weaning people from the drug, not maintaining its use. It's time to put
restrictions and safeguards in place to protect taxpayers and help those in true
need."
The second bill would restrict methadone clients who
participate in the Medical Assistance Transportation Program to four weeks of
transportation -- including both mileage reimbursement and para-transit services
-- to the clinic closest to their residence. The LBFC found that that methadone
maintenance transportation services cost taxpayers more than $32 million in
2009-10.
"At a time when our state government is cutting programs
across the board, that are important to many Pennsylvanians, there is no place
for an open-ended taxi service paid for with scarce state tax dollars," said
Ward. "Four weeks is a reasonable amount of time for individuals to get settled
into their treatment schedules where other travel arrangements can be made at
their own expense. Without limits, there is no incentive," stated Ward.
The LBFC report was authorized by a measure sponsored by
Senator Ward last year. At the request of Senator Ward, State Senator Pat Vance
(R-31st), Chair of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, has agreed to
hold public hearings on the measures this spring. Contact:
Tom
Aikens
(724) 600-7002
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