Harrisburg – Legislation sponsored by Sen. Kim Ward (R-39) to place commonsense limits on state-funded transportation to methadone clinics was unanimously approved by the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee today.
Under Senate Bill 638, the Department of Public Welfare would require that individuals who receive methadone treatment services covered by Medicaid under the Medical Assistance Transportation Program receive their treatment at the clinic closest to their residence.
“The lack of limits on taxpayer-funded transportation to methadone clinics has resulted in an open-ended taxi service paid for with scarce state tax dollars. The state is not in a financial position to afford this,” Ward said. “With a tight spending plan in this year’s budget, this is the perfect time to rein in the costs associated with this transportation plan,” she concluded.
The state Medical Assistance Transportation Program provides transportation to individuals who are receiving methadone treatments by either reimbursing those with private vehicles at a rate of 25 cents per mile or by providing rides in vans and taxis with little accountability regarding the most cost-effective mode of transportation to the clinic.
Contact: Tom Aikens
(724) 600-7002