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| Weekly Roundup |
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The latest news from the State Capitol |
Family Fun Night Tonight
Tonight, Friday, July 13, Sen. Camera Bartolotta and I will be hosting a Family Fun Night of exciting activities and learning for the whole family.
The event will be run from 5-8 p.m. at the Mount Pleasant Township Fire Hall, 106 Main St., Hickory. It will feature safety resources and information, as well as activities, raffle prizes and giveaways.
I hope to see you there!
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Flag Retirement Ceremony a Success
Last Saturday, I hosted my annual flag retirement ceremony at Cecil American Legion Post 793 after it was postponed from last month due to severe weather. We respectfully retired hundreds of American flags from the community. Thank you to Cecil Boy Scout Troop 1369, Cecil Cub Scout Pack 1369 and the Cecil American Legion Post 793 for conducting a wonderful ceremony honoring our nation’s flag. A drop-off box outside the American Legion building is available year-round for worn flags.
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Investing in Health, Human Service Needs
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Budget Directs Funding to Lyme Disease
This year’s 2018-19 state budget addresses many of the state’s critical health needs by directing resources to several important line items, including Lyme disease.
With Pennsylvania leading the nation in the number of Lyme disease cases, $2.5 million in state funding will help combat and treat those affected by the disease.
Efforts will include building a more robust Lyme disease prevention and education program, conducting more well-rounded surveillance through activities like a statewide environmental survey, and improving participation in tick-borne disease surveillance with providers and local health departments. The funding specifically addresses many of the recommendations outlined by the Lyme Disease Task Force, which was created by Act 83 of 2014.
Other health-related funding priorities include increases to support the state’s West Nile Virus and Zika Virus control program; take care of those with intellectual disabilities; and offer evidence-based home visiting services to families affected by the opioid epidemic. Bio-technology research, ALS support services and regional cancer centers also will receive increases in this budget.
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Hospitals Must Alert Child Welfare about Drug-Exposed Newborns
To help ensure that babies who are born dependent on controlled substances are safely cared for and receive critical medical and developmental services, a new law closes a loophole in the reporting of such cases to proper authorities.
The legislation is designed to ensure that mothers and their babies get help rather than punish the mothers for drug use.
Act 54 of 2018 requires that child protective services develop a plan of care for the infant and puts the state in compliance with a 2003 federal law. It also clarifies how authorities should respond while focusing on providing help to the babies’ families rather than automatically treating the mothers’ drug use as a criminal act.
According to state data, more than 920 babies were born with neonatal abstinence syndrome in Pennsylvania in the first six months of 2018.
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Improving Delivery of Human Services
To help ensure a more efficient delivery of human services programs, the Human Services Code portion of the 2018-19 state budget package contained a number of reforms and updates that seek to save taxpayers money while still taking care of our most vulnerable citizens.
Act 40 of 2018 makes several changes to the state’s Medicaid program to ensure maximum efficiency, including new ways for counties to provide nonemergency medical transportation services to eligible and enrolled Medical Assistance recipients.
Another change establishes two Medicaid outcome-based programs to increase efficiency in hospital services and managed care programs.
Finally, the new law aims to reduce long-term care expenses by providing information about the Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE) program to individuals seeking long-term care services and supports. Studies show that seniors recover faster and have a better quality of life in their own residences.
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Empowering Parents in Substance Abuse Cases
Legislation that will give parents the final word on treatment in substance abuse cases involving their children has been signed into law.
Act 47 of 2018 allows a parent or legal guardian to provide consent over the objection of a minor with respect to furnishing medical care or counseling related to diagnosis or treatment of substance abuse.
It also seeks to protect the patient’s rights in that anyone providing medical care may only share with the parents information that would reduce the threat of harm to the minor.
The new law takes effect in late August.
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| Office Locations |
| 300 Old Pond Road, Suite 205A, Bridgeville, PA 15017 | Phone: (412) 221-5110 |
| 200 Senior Way, Burgettstown, PA 15021 I Phone: (724) 947-4471 |
| Room 125B, East Wing, PO Box 202046, Harrisburg PA 17120-2046 | (717) 787-1281 |
| Email: jortitay@pahousegop.com |
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