Acting Secretary of Aging Brian Duke told the House Appropriations Committee today he is still looking at which programs are working and which could work better and to reduce costs, but does not have a recommendation on whether the Rendell Administration proposal to create a new Department of Aging and Long-Term Living is warranted.
Nursing Home Applications: Rep. Bill Adolph (R-Delaware) Majority Chair said traditional nursing home care applications keep increasing, yet so do applications for in-home care services. Duke said 90 percent of services are still provided through traditional nursing home care and 10 percent by in-home care, but the demographics are Pennsylvania's aging population is increasing.
Agency representatives said they are finalizing regulations providing additional requirements on adding traditional nursing home beds in a continuing attempt to rebalance nursing home and in-home care. Aging staff did say the number of nursing home days is down some 2 million nursing home days.
Rep. Adolph said the rebalancing efforts have not yet resulted in significant budget savings.
State Lottery: Duke said the State Lottery should be used only for the support of senior programs and not for administrative costs of programs for others in response to a question from Rep. Tim Hennessey (R-Chester) about the Rendell Administration using Lottery funds for agency administrative costs.
Drug Lawsuit: In response to a question from Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Susquehanna) on whether Pennsylvania can expect any more drug settlements like the $68 million received last week from AstraZenica, department representatives said they are several smaller actions are pending. They noted they work with the Office of Attorney General on lawsuits like this and to collect drug rebates under PACE/PACENET senior prescription drug programs to lower costs to the state.
