RCPA President and CEO Richard Edley was interviewed by Comcast Newsmakers (video) on February 7, 2017, prior to Governor Wolf’s 2017/18 budget address. Edley discussed the RCPA provider members, services they offer to those in need, as well as challenges they face with increased legislation and decreased federal/state funding.
RCPA released the following statement to the media following
Governor Wolf’s 2017/18 budget address:
HARRISBURG (February 7, 2017) — In today’s budget address, Governor Wolf outlined his proposal to consolidate four existing departments into one new, unified Pennsylvania Department of Health and Human Services (PA-HHS). RCPA applauds the governor’s commitment to restructuring state government and how the Commonwealth delivers services to Pennsylvania’s aging population, as well as Pennsylvanians with intellectual and physical disabilities, mental health, and substance use disorders. According to RCPA’s President and CEO Richard S Edley, “RCPA is eager to partner with the governor and his staff on this monumental transformation of state government. RCPA’s diverse membership is generally supportive of the governor’s proposal to create a new Department of Health and Human Services. Our members and staff look forward to providing information and recommendations to the governor and the General Assembly regarding areas relating to unfunded mandates, duplication of services, and modernizing and streamlining the regulatory process.”
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Media contact: Sharon Militello, RCPA Director of Communications
(717) 364-3280 • smilitello@paproviders.org
About the Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association (RCPA):
With more than 300 members serving well over 1 million Pennsylvanians annually, Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association (RCPA) is among the largest and most diverse state health and human services trade associations in the nation. RCPA provider members offer mental health, substance use, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injury, residential, and rehabilitation services for children, adolescents, and adults through all settings and levels of care. Visit www.paproviders.org for more information.
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This just in from the governor’s office:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 2017
View Online
Governor Wolf Announces Plan to Create Department of Health and Human Services
Seeks to Improve Services and Benefits for Seniors, People with Intellectual and Physical Disabilities, and Those Suffering From Substance Use Disorder
Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Wolf announced his plan to create a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in his 2017-2018 budget in order to promote more effective collaboration and service delivery, enhance program effectiveness, and eliminate duplicative processes.
“This new department will streamline government and allow the commonwealth to deliver more effective services to seniors, individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities, and those suffering from a substance use disorder as well as promote the health and well-being of all Pennsylvanians,” said Governor Tom Wolf. “Over the past several months, I have worked closely with these four departments to break down silos and reimagine how we deliver critical services that will provide treatment to those suffering from substance use disorder, ensure children are receiving high quality services, and expand community-based opportunities for seniors. The creation of a new, unified Department of Health and Human Services will not result in any program cuts for Pennsylvanians, but will dramatically improve our ability to deliver services that will improve lives. “
The Departments of Aging (PDA), Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), Health (DOH), and Human Services (DHS) have the same core mission: to improve public health and quality of life for all residents of the commonwealth. These four separate state agencies currently serve similar, and sometimes overlapping, populations.
Fighting Opioid Epidemic to Remain a Top Priority for New Integrated Agency
Governor Wolf has led the battle against the opioid and heroin epidemic and each of these agencies has been critical to this effort. Among many other initiatives, DOH launched a prescription drug monitoring program and has been raising awareness of the naloxone standing order, DDAP has led the effort to increase the availability of naloxone and drug take back boxes, DHS has created 45 centers of excellence to coordinate treatment for those suffering from substance use disorders, and PDA has led prescription drug take back efforts among the senior population encouraging proper use, storage, and disposal of unused prescription medications.
By creating an organization that is structurally better able to support and coordinate these efforts, individuals in desperate need of substance use disorder treatment will be able to access services through one agency with an integrated data and delivery system. The new HHS will serve as the single state authority for Medicaid, substance use, and mental health purposes enabling the commonwealth to maximize available federal dollars and offset state costs for staff and services. There will continue to be a cabinet-level position in Governor Wolf’s administration that will be dedicated to battling the opioid and heroin epidemic.
Delivering better services to those suffering from substance use disorder is just one example of the benefits realized through the creation of a new, unified department.
Senior Benefits and Programs Will Be Bolstered By Ease, Focus of Single Agency
Seniors will also have a single agency as their point of contact within state government to receive health and human services. Instead of receiving prescription assistance from PACE through PDA, applying for an aging waiver through DHS while seeking home and community-based services from PDA, finding where to dispose of unwanted or expired prescription drugs through DDAP, or searching for information on the quality of nursing homes through DOH, seniors would find the services they need through the Department of Health and Human Services. Furthermore, the creation of this department will have no impact on how lottery fund monies are used to support senior programs.
Reducing Complexity and Confusion for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities
Currently, at least 21 separate services across the departments provide care for seniors and individuals with physical disabilities. The creation of the Department of Health and Human Services will eliminate the unnecessary duplication of effort and confusion among consumers and their families. The Wolf Administration is dedicated to continuing to provide the same quality services for seniors and individuals with disabilities and will dramatically improve the delivery of services like health screenings, programs to allow individuals to remain in their homes and communities, adult protective services, and home health care and housing supports, though the creation of this new department.
Reducing Red-Tape for Providers and Non-Profits Subject to Regulation
Currently, providers ranging from hospitals and child care centers to substance use treatment facilities and nursing homes are licensed by multiple agencies, many times for the provision of the exact same services. Requiring these businesses to subject themselves to multiple, duplicative inspections and audits costs them money. By centralizing facility licensure in one agency we will improve coordination, increase transparency, and promote uniformity for the health and human services field. The state and providers will be able to better focus our resources on our mission to improve the health and quality of life for citizens rather than back office functions.
In 2015, the administration transferred the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) from the Department of Insurance to DHS. Through this consolidation, the administration has increased the number of kids covered by 10 percent, shortened the average processing time for applications from 40 days to only one day, and saved taxpayers $8 million annually. Additionally, this consolidation resulted in an improved customer experience as many families move between the two programs on a regular basis due to income guidelines. In the same way, combining the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program will result in improved outcomes, shortened application timelines and cost savings to taxpayers.
“Responding to the diverse and sometimes complex needs of older Pennsylvanians often requires interaction with multiple state agencies which can be confusing and incredibly frustrating,” said PDA Secretary Osborne. “The opportunity to create a single, unified, Department of Health and Human Services will reduce fragmentation, eliminate silos, promote accountability, and create a culture of shared responsibility that puts Pennsylvanians first.”
“By working together under Governor Wolf’s leadership, this administration has saved lives by expanding access to naloxone, combatted the stigma of the disease of addiction, and has raised awareness of the severity of this crisis. However, our work is not done,” said Department of Drug and Alcohol Acting Secretary Jennifer Smith. “The creation of the Department of Health and Human Services will help us continue this fight in a collaborative, coordinated manner.”
“The health of all Pennsylvanians is first and foremost to the Wolf Administration,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Karen Murphy. “Consolidating state agencies into one new agency while improving services for Pennsylvanians is not only fiscally responsible, but will ensure that we can continue to meet their needs. The Department of Health team looks forward to working with our sister agencies on the consolidation plan to ensure that Pennsylvanians continue to receive needed services.”
“Consolidation puts the focus where it always should be — on the consumer,” said Secretary of Human Services Ted Dallas. “The Governor’s plan to create HHS will result in a more streamlined and cost-effective agency that delivers better services for Pennsylvania.”
The goal of the Department of Health and Human Services will be to deliver services that will improve the health and quality of life for all Pennsylvanians in an efficient, transparent, and uniform manner.
MEDIA CONTACT: J.J. Abbott, 717.783.1116
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Senator Costa announced the Democrat committee member assignments for the 2017-18 Legislative Session. The Senate Democrat committee appointments are listed here. Contact Jack Phillips, director of government affairs with any questions.
Late yesterday afternoon, the Pennsylvania House and Senate announced the appointment of both Republican and Democratic committee members for the 2017-18 Legislative Session.
Contact Jack Phillips, RCPA Director Of Government Affairs, with any questions.
Governor Wolf announced Tuesday afternoon that Gary Tennis, Secretary of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), will no longer hold that position. The governor did not state a reason for Tennis’ departure; RCPA will report any further details as they become available. Deputy Secretary Jen Smith will serve as Acting Secretary. View the governor’s official press release here.
Message from Richard Edley, RCPA President & CEO:
On January 19, 2017, RCPA sent out an announcement urging individuals to contact the governor’s office regarding the concerns over the proposed ODP Medicaid waiver amendments, specifically related to Chapter 2390 licensed vocational facilities and Chapter 2380 licensed adult training facilities. I am pleased to say that this is NOT a necessary step at this time.
I have spoken directly with Nancy Thaler, Deputy Secretary of the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), and she has notified me that ODP will hold a meeting of all day/vocational providers in early March to review questions, concerns, and the entire process. This is similar to the recent meeting ODP had with all residential providers.
This is in addition to the upcoming three day (01/31 – 02/02) work group of stakeholders being held by ODP to review the proposed regulations and the comments received. I will be representing RCPA and we will have several provider and other member representatives also in attendance.
In light of these meetings and the proposed process, it would be more appropriate to enter in that discussion and suspend direct calls to the governor’s office. While we have concerns, ODP has assured us that there will be a forum and mechanism to voice these concerns and to have a more constructive discussion.
If you have any questions, please contact me. RCPA will certainly provide an update after the conclusion of these meetings.
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