Pennsylvania Department of Welfare Executive Deputy Secretary Timothy Costa Joins Buchanan's Government Relations Practice

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Aug 21, 2012, 05:01 ET

HARRISBURG, Pa. and WASHINGTON, Aug. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC announced today that Timothy Costa, Executive Deputy Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare, will join the firm's Government Relations Practice on September 10. He will divide his time between the firm's Washington D.C. and Harrisburg offices, focusing his efforts equally on providing state and federal government relations representation.

"Buchanan's solid reputation and strong federal and state government relations practice made this move very appealing to me," Costa said. "Having lived and worked in Harrisburg and D.C. for many years, I look forward to continuing to do work there as well as in other states where the firm's clients have government relations needs," he added.

Costa recently spearheaded the DPW's Office of Program Integrity, which netted for the Commonwealth more than $300 million in savings in less than 15 months.

"Tim is a recognized leader in the Commonwealth and around the country," stated Tom Paese, Chair of Buchanan's Government Relations practice. "His deep experience, keen judgment, can-do attitude and solutions-oriented approach will be invaluable to our clients and our professionals," he added.

Throughout his decade-long career in state government, Costa has developed a substantial background in health care policy, including Medicaid, physical and behavioral health, and long-term care. At the helm of the largest state welfare program in the nation, Costa oversaw all aspects of the DPW, including the program offices of Medical Assistance; Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services; Children, Youth and Families; and Intellectual Disabilities.

Prior to his role as executive deputy secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare, Costa served for six years as deputy chief of staff and director of policy for Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri. During that time, he led the state's efforts to develop and permit the first off-shore wind project in the U.S. He also led the state's effort to win federal and state legislative approval of the first-in-the-nation Global Medicaid Waiver. Costa led other successful initiatives involving regulatory reform, education and property tax relief that helped to transform Rhode Island from structural deficits to budget surpluses.

Costa received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

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Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC has more than 450 attorneys and government relations professionals practicing throughout the United States, with multiple offices in California, Florida, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, as well as offices in Delaware, Virginia and Washington, D.C.