Bill limits state-funded transportation to methadone clinics

Senate Bill 638 headed to the Governor for enactment into law

Legislation co-sponsored by Senator Don White (R-41) setting commonsense limits on transportation for methadone clients who are part of the Medical Assistance Transportation program (MATP) is headed to Governor Corbett's desk for his signature and enactment into law.

"There were cases identified where individuals were intentionally traveling to clinics further away from their homes or otherwise submitting fraudulent or questionable requests for mileage reimbursements," Senator White said. "This bill does not limit treatment, but rather sets reasonable limits and requirements to ensure taxpayers' money is spent prudently."

Under Senate Bill 638, which received final legislative approval in the Senate on Wednesday, individuals receiving payments for mileage reimbursements or using public transportation would be required to go to the clinic closest to their residence.

Currently, methadone recipients choose their preferred service location and the cost of the transportation is paid with tax dollars. Transportation costs totaled $32.5 million in 2009-10, an increase of 26.3 percent from 2007-08. More than one in three trips paid for through MATP is for methadone maintenance.

Senator White added that reducing the traveling by those undergoing methadone treatments will increase safety on local roadways.

"We've seen at least two cases locally where drivers allegedly returning from methadone clinics became involved in accidents where other motorists or pedestrians were killed," Senator White said. "We have worked to reduce accidents involving impaired drivers and as part of that effort we should ensure that those receiving methadone treatments are on the road only as much as is absolutely necessary. This is the spirit by which the Senate passed Senate Bill 954, which would add provisions in state law addressing driving under the influence of methadone. "

SB 638 also builds on other state efforts to reduce fraud, waste and abuse in the state's public welfare system.

"Public welfare programs and services collectively represent some of the largest expenditures in the state budget year in and year out," Senator White said. "These costs continue to rise each year, so it is imperative that unnecessary and wasteful expenditures are eliminated. That is especially true as Pennsylvania continues to face budgetary problems and revenues are coming in substantially under projections."

Act 22 of 2011 set up a new fraud detection and income verification system within the Department of Public Welfare (DPW). It also requires random drug screenings for public assistance recipients convicted of drug-related felonies. Another major reform ends "benefit shopping," where people apply for welfare benefits in a county other than the one in which they live in order to receive higher benefit payments. Under the new law, applicants receive benefits based on where they live.

The new law includes the provisions of three Senate Bills previously introduced by Senator White:

Senate Bill 973 proposed establishing a fraud detection and income verification system within the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) for the purpose of identifying, investigating, and resolving potential cases of fraud and abuse within the public assistance system.
Senate Bill 976 requires DPW to calculate public assistance amounts based on a person's eligibility and need in their county of permanent residence.
Senate Bill 1173 requires public assistance recipients convicted of drug-related felonies participate in random drug screenings. Senator White submitted SB 1173 based on the winning entries submitted by MacKenzie Anderson and Olivia Rayanne McGarry of Curwensville and Meghan Dressler of Coral in his annual "There Ought to be a Law" essay competition for local elementary school students.

Contact:

Joe Pittman
(717) 787-8724