THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY WARD, VOGEL, D. WHITE, EARLL, M. WHITE, YAW, ORIE, KASUNIC, ALLOWAY, BOSCOLA AND WASHINGTON, MAY 26, 2010

REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE, MAY 26, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to

conduct a performance audit of Pennsylvania's methadone

treatment programs and the medical assistance transportation

program.

WHEREAS, The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee is a

bipartisan, bicameral legislative service agency consisting of

12 members of the General Assembly established by statute to

conduct studies and make recommendations aimed at eliminating

unnecessary expenditures, to promote economy in the government

of the Commonwealth and to assure that Commonwealth funds are

being expended in accordance with legislative intent and law;

and

WHEREAS, The committee is authorized to conduct a wide range

of research activities pertaining to the operation and

performance of State-funded programs and agencies; and

WHEREAS, The Commonwealth through the Department of Public

Welfare reimburses methadone clinics for the cost of providing

treatment to individuals eligible for the medical assistance

program; and

WHEREAS, The Commonwealth's total medical assistance costs

for methadone treatment for fiscal year 2008-2009 is

$42,480,651; and

WHEREAS, The Commonwealth's medical assistance transportation

program provides transportation to individuals who are receiving

methadone treatments by either reimbursing those who have access

to a private vehicle at a minimum rate of $0.25/mile or by

providing rides on paratransit vehicles, including vans and

taxis with little accountability regarding the most cost-

effective mode of transportation to the clinic; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate direct the Legislative Budget and

Finance Committee to conduct a performance audit of

Pennsylvania's methadone treatment programs and the medical

assistance transportation program; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the committee conduct a performance audit to

examine the annual cost to the Commonwealth for methadone

treatment and the length of treatment for each individual

receiving treatment, and specifically determine whether there is

a narcotic treatment plan for recovery from an individual's drug

addiction rather than maintenance to methadone; and be it

further

RESOLVED, That the performance audit examine the annual

current cost of the medical assistance transportation program to

the Federal Government, the Commonwealth and counties and the

savings that would result if an individual would be required to

receive treatment at the facility closest to the individual's

residence; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the performance audit include initiatives and

policies of other states' recovery programs, including options

other than methadone for treating heroin addictions; and be it  

further

RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee

report the results of the audit within 90 days after the passage

of this resolution to the President pro tempore of the Senate

and the Minority Leader of the Senate.