Senate Approves Ward's Bill to Audit Methadone Treatment Costs

Harrisburg – Legislation sponsored by Sen. Kim Ward (R-39) authorizing a performance audit of the state's methadone treatment and medical assistance transportation programs was approved by the Senate today.

Senate Resolution 348 directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to report on methadone treatment and transportation costs as well as average length of methadone maintenance.

"These programs spend millions in taxpayer dollars with little accountability, and that has to change," said Ward.

Under Senate Resolution 348, the LBFC will conduct a performance audit to examine the annual cost to the Commonwealth for methadone treatment and the length of treatment for each individual receiving treatment, and specifically determine whether there is a narcotic treatment plan for recovery from an individual's drug addiction rather than maintenance to methadone.

Ward said the performance audit will examine the annual current cost of the medical assistance transportation program to the federal government, the Commonwealth and counties, and the savings that would result if an individual would be required to receive treatment at the facility closest to the individual's residence.

"Spending tax dollars with little oversight is unacceptable, especially in such difficult economic times," said Ward. "I commend my Senate colleagues for acting so quickly on this measure and I look forward to the findings of the audit."

The LBFC has 150 days to report the results of the audit to the Senate.