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HARRISBURG \u2013 Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee raised concerns about the growing cost of Medicaid and other entitlement programs and how to identify and eliminate fraud during a budget hearing today with the Department of Human Services.<\/p>\n
The governor\u2019s $53.3 billion budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026-27 would increase spending by $2.7 billion, 5.4% more than the current budget.<\/p>\n
Department of Human Services<\/p>\n
Gov. Josh Shapiro\u2019s budget would increase spending for the Department of Human Services (DHS) by more than $1.3 billion (6.6%). The department is the highest-spending and fastest-growing agency in the state budget.<\/p>\n
DHS Budget Hearing Part 1<\/a> and Part 2<\/a><\/p>\n Senator Martin on child care and fraud; flawed spending projections; 1115 waivers; and Grow PA<\/a>.<\/p>\n Video Highlights<\/p>\n Part 1<\/p>\n Questions were raised about the potential impacts the state False Claims Act legislation<\/a> would have on the department in terms of fraud reduction within its budget should it be enacted as well as what industries would be perceived to have fraud.<\/p>\n Regarding HR-1, concerns were brought to light about if it will be Pennsylvania or hospitals that will be financially responsible should $20 billion in federal reimbursements be removed<\/a> beginning in the 2028 fiscal year.<\/p>\n Expanding nurse practitioner authority, the reduction in pharmaceutical rebates, supporting rural hospitals, and preventing healthcare deserts<\/a> were discussed.<\/p>\n Legislators are still receiving phone calls from residents who\u2019ve had their SNAP card stolen \u2013 the department was asked to provide further details of what they are doing to increase SNAP card security<\/a>.<\/p>\n Both the PA Navigate and 211 programs were explored<\/a> and questions surrounding potential duplicative services and overall funding were raised.<\/p>\n Department initiatives focused on overall efficiency and cost-savings<\/a> were highlighted.<\/p>\n Focusing on child care centers, questions about strategies to support that workforce and the troubling reports about payment error rates<\/a> were examined.<\/p>\n Details about funding for ChildLine enhancements, the child welfare rate study and behavioral health<\/a> were addressed.<\/p>\n The department was asked how last year\u2019s mail piece delivery failure impacted vulnerable Pennsylvanians<\/a> \u2013 more than 1.7 million department pieces of mail where included in this delivery failure. \u00a0<\/p>\n Part 2<\/p>\n With the goal of saving taxpayer dollars, questions were raised about whether there was any room in the department\u2019s general operations budget to cut spending<\/a>.<\/p>\n Regarding the Workers with Job Success component of the Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities program<\/a>, the department was asked about its application status requesting matching federal funds.<\/p>\n By 2030, one in three Pennsylvanians will be a senior citizen \u2013 to address the Pennsylvania\u2019s growing aging population and the increase in nursing home\/long term care facility closures and consolidations<\/a>, the department was asked to share insight on potential incentives that would prevent further closures and prioritize quality care.<\/p>\n The department was asked to explain how they have worked to stabilize skilled nursing care<\/a> and what services are covered under the Adult Protective Services contract.<\/p>\n Questions concerning impacts of raising the minimum wage and flat funding rape crisis centers<\/a> were discussed.<\/p>\n As other states continue to adopt SNAP Food Restriction Waivers<\/a>, the question was raised if the department would be supportive of excluding junk food from SNAP-eligible items.<\/p>\n With quality care for our vulnerable citizens continuing to be a top priority, inquiries were made as to what efforts the department was making to ensure a strong workforce of direct service providers<\/a> was available.<\/p>\n Determining whether or not the department would accept being flat funded<\/a> and what harm could come from increasing the minimum wage and effectively cause current Medicaid-enrolled Pennsylvanians to lose their income eligibility was addressed.<\/p>\n With new work requirements taking effect for SNAP and Medicaid recipients, the department was asked about a proposed funding reduction for employment verification<\/a>.<\/p>\n The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and how it continues to support Pennsylvania communities<\/a> was highlighted.<\/p>\n You can find recaps and video from every Senate budget hearing at\u00a0PASenateGOP.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n