Hempfield senator seeks review of methadone program

Hempfield senator seeks review of methadone program

By Bob Stiles
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, May 26, 2010

A state senator who has criticized the state methadone program is asking for an audit to be done to see how the drug is dispensed and to find possible abuses or cost-saving steps.

In a resolution, Kim Ward, a Hempfield Republican, is asking the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee for review of the methadone program operated by the state Public Welfare Department.

The methadone program serves people who are on public assistance and receive the synthetic narcotic for treatment of opiate addiction. The use of methadone is up, along with the number of clinics dispensing the synthetic narcotic, because of a nationwide heroin epidemic.

"This is an issue where we can legitimately cut (expenses)," Ward said. "There is true waste."

The senator said the audit will assist legislation that she and other senators are proposing for the methadone program. Sens. John Eichelberger and Don White, both Republicans, and Democrat Mike Stack will join Ward at a news conference today in Harrisburg to discuss greater accountability in the program.

In particular, Ward wants the audit to show the annual cost to the state to run the methadone program and whether those who receive the drug are on a treatment or maintenance plan.

In addition, Ward wants the audit to show how much taxpayers pay for methadone users to travel to clinics, and if there are any requirements that the users go to the nearest clinic to receive the drug.

The majority of the Senate must pass the resolution for the audit to be done. "Hopefully, it will move quickly," Ward said.

She is requesting the information within 90 days, with the findings to be submitted to the Senate president pro temp and minority leader.

There are 55 methadone clinics in the state, up from 42 in 2006. Nine are in Allegheny County, three in Westmoreland County and one each in Fayette and Washington counties.

Ward's past criticism of the methadone program included the Medical Assistance Transportation Program, which funds travel for the more than 10,000 people who receive methadone through public assistance. It includes mileage reimbursements for methadone users to drive their own vehicles to clinics or for bus or similar transportation to take them to the dispensing facilities.

Ward said requests she has made to the welfare department and its secretary for costs of the transportation program have not been answered, apparently because the expenses are not tracked. She was told it costs the state $42.48 million per year to buy methadone for dispensing.

"It is inconceivable that this program has been operating using our tax dollars without any oversight," Ward said.

Last month, representatives of Westmoreland, Fayette and Indiana counties said they use anywhere from 15 percent to 50 percent of the transportation funds they receive to foot costs for methadone travel. Both state and federal monies are used.
"No matter where it comes from, it all comes from the same pocket," Ward said, referring to taxpayers.

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