The recent article in the Sun-Gazette, " State budget changes could affect home-care providers, clients" is very one-sided and does not discuss other aspects of the service changes as well as the need for them.
The Department of Public Welfare is in the process of consolidating financial management service providers from 37 statewide to 3 or less. This reduction of providers will streamline services across the state and keep services for consumers at an affordable cost, no matter where they are located. This is a very difficult budget and many tough decisions that went into our proposal. The welfare department's hands are tied with 80 percent of the budget untouchable due to federal mandates. This has forced it to look at reductions of state only programs.
Through the consolidation of the Financial Management Services, DPW is ensuring that the provider maintain a local presence within the commonwealth and ensure that the selected provider/s maintain consumer control within their services.
The department has been laying the groundwork for changes for five years and informed providers of the potential changes. Since 2006, the Center for Medicare Services has been stating that there is too much profit being generated within some of these programs that is not being used effectively by some providers.
Whatever happens on the state level, like with any other previous changes and cuts, we will all need to rise above it and work within the system to make sure people in need continue to be served.
John Hettinger
Linden
Submitted by Virtual Newsroom
