House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

Posted:	June 12, 2013 01:54 PM
From:	Representative Dave Reed
To:	All House members
Subject:	Proposed Legislation - Medical Assistance Transportation Program Reporting Requirements

I plan to introduce legislation to eliminate the current requirement for the Department of Public Welfare to provide biennial reports to the General Assembly and the Governor detailing costs and cost savings related to implementing Act 121 of 2011. Act 121 limits mileage reimbursement and paratransit service through the Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) for Medical Assistance recipients receiving methadone treatment. Under Act 121, the reports are used to track costs and cost-savings in relation to implementing the changes to MATP. The reports, which have indicated substantial savings, were useful in distinguishing changes both prior to and after Act 121 took effect. The most recent report, covering March 2012 through December 2012, showed over $881,000 in savings, with minimal disruption to this vital service. Based on this record of success, continuing these reports—and the data collection responsibilities that fall to counties—is no longer necessary. This legislation would amend the Public Welfare Code and sunset the provision of Act 121 which requires DPW to submit a biennial report to the General Assembly and the Governor. At a time when county and agency resources are limited, I believe elimination of this requirement will be helpful in relieving our counties from this burden. If you have any questions regarding this legislation, please contact my office at 717-705-7173. Thank you.
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Introduced as HB1571