Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Releases Letter to Independent Fiscal Office

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 20, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Acting Secretary of Public Welfare Beverly D. Mackereth today released a letter to the Independent Fiscal Office regarding the organization's recent analysis of the Medicaid program.

Mackereth reiterated Governor Corbett's goal that all Pennsylvanians have access to affordable, quality healthcare. However, she expressed concerns over several assumptions included in the IFO's April 23 analysis and the fact that the report has been misinterpreted as a budgetary estimate for the impact of Medicaid expansion.

"While we appreciate the work of the IFO, it's in everyone's best interest that we make long-term policy decisions using accurate information reflective of the realities facing the current Medicaid program and the commonwealth," Mackereth said. "Making fully informed and factual decisions will protect our most vulnerable citizens being served by the program and provide certainty for our taxpayers; that's our ultimate goal."

The letter specifically counters savings claimed through the general assistance program and the continuation of the gross receipts tax. It also raises issues related to the timing of funding that would be realized by the commonwealth through an expanded program; the program enrollment rate; and administrative and staffing costs that would come with an expanded program.

The full letter can be found at www.insurance.pa.gov through the "Affordable Care Act" button.

Media contact:  Carey Miller or Anne Bale, 717-425-7606

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare