Senate Budget Hearings
A majority of the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) hearing revolved around the proposed drug and alcohol (D&A) program cuts. Issues such as BHSI, Act 152, HSDF (county flexible funds), and the General Assistance (GA) shift from managed care to fee-for-service (FFS) were all raised and legislators are displaying an increased understanding of the potential service and community threats.
Secretary Richman displayed an impassioned commitment to D&A, as well as the need for successful and innovative treatment and rehabilitation programs (which she assured Pennsylvania has). As well, the secretary reiterated her ‘assurance’ that "…treatment and recovery are effective…people get their lives, families, and jobs back…[they] become productive members of society…thanks to successful programs, they become tax-paying citizens…”
While a couple legislators do go on the record still as supporting the need for curbed state spending – and, as a result, tough budget cuts – even those express that these program cuts should be revisited when the economy improves. However, there is strong support from members on both sides of the aisle (Republican and Democrat) to restore the D&A funding NOW. From the call to simply find a way to restore, to requesting that the secretary find ways to link at least part of restoration to the administration’s new education package, to legislators proposing legislation that would earmark beer taxes and some gambling revenues for treatment – there was a clear message that the D&A funds need to be restored.
Administration Meetings
PCPA staff met with Mr. Dave Myers, Deputy Chief of Staff to the governor and former Health Policy Director in the House of Representatives about the possibility of restoring funding. He said that the governor is focusing his efforts on promoting his "Plan for a New Pennsylvania," but is willing to entertain restoring some of the budget cuts, if the resources can be found to pay for them. The budget forced some very hard choices and it was important for policy makers to understand the consequences of these choices. He also reiterated what Secretary Richman shared at PCPA's recent Annual Meeting - that the secretary is working on a plan now to continue D&A program funding through October, as the state gets past the budget hurdle and fiscal deadline imposed by July 1. Information from the Institute on Research, Education and Training in Addictions (IRETA) and PCPA was given to Mr. Myers for the governor, in order to further educate him on treatment and recovery.
Additionally, PCPA spoke with Mr. Michael Masch, the governor’s Budget Secretary, following his appropriations hearing. Concerns were shared with Secretary Masch regarding fall-out from the proposed cuts. He asked to meet with PCPA in his office in the near future.
Legislative Meetings
PCPA had a meeting with Mr. Vince Rossi of Senator Vincent Fumo’s staff, regarding the proposed budget cuts to D&A. A meeting with Rep. George Kenney (Chairman of the House Health and Human Services Committee) is scheduled and meetings are currently being planned with Senator Bob Thompson (Senate Republican Chairman of Appropriations) and Representative Dave Argall (House Republican Chairman of Appropriations). Other legislative meetings will follow.