The Senate Public Health and Welfare committee heard testimony today from three panels concerning the past payment practices of the Office of Developmental Programs. The panels consisted of providers, county commissioners, and representatives from the Department of Public Welfare. While the Committee held a similar hearing in September, they only heard testimony from the Department of Public Welfare at that time. 

Sen. Kitchen (D-Philadelphia) said today that “I understand that we are operating under tight finances these days, and I understand the department is working to reach its goal of rooting out fraud and abuse in the system; however, we need to hear the whole picture. Their testimony was important but it is also important to hear from the providers.”  Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.

The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee held a public hearing today on the past payment practices of the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). Tim Costa, Executive Deputy Secretary of ODP stated that he wanted to detail for the committee “the serious challenges facing ODP, the progress we have made, and the promising opportunities in from of us.” Costa outlined the problems that were encountered by the ODP as a result of the recent transition from a county-run system to a state-run system. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.

The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee unanimously reported the nomination of Dr. Eli Avila for the post of Secretary of Health. Dr. Avila fielded a number of questions from the committee on a variety of topics including pandemic preparedness and flu vaccinations for health care workers. Check out the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today to read the full story.