Government Relations
Key health-related budget items in the Governor ’ s budget include :
• Proposes the consolidation of four state departments : the Department of Human Services ( DHS ), the Department of Health ( DOH ), the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs ( DDAP ) and the Department of Aging ( PDA ) into one , unified Department of Health and Human Services . Governor Wolf ’ s stated purpose for the consolidation is “ to encourage more effective collaboration and service delivery , enhance program effectiveness , reduce administrative costs and eliminate duplicative positions . The administration estimates a savings of more than $ 90 million annually .
• Proposes the consolidation of three programs that purchase , dispense and monitor prescription drugs : PACE , the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program ( PDMP ) and the pharmacy functions in the Medical Assistance and CHIP programs . The administration estimates a savings of more than $ 45 million .
• Proposes establishing an All Payer Claims Database to collect medical , pharmacy and dental claims , as well as eligibility and provider files from private and public payers , including Medical Assistance , Medicare and commercial insurers . The administration believes this database is instrumental to controlling spending because it will measure utilization and costs .
SPECIAL NOTICE : State Issues Mandatory Opioid Consent Form for Minors
Act 125 of 2016 gives the Department of State ’ s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs ( Bureau ) the authority to create and mandate the use of a consent form prescribers must use before prescribing opioids to minors . Pennsylvania law requires that in most non-emergency situations , a prescriber must first discuss the potential risks associated with the medication with the minor and the minor ’ s parent , guardian or other authorized adult , and obtain written consent using the state ’ s new form before prescribing opioid medications . With some exceptions , prescribers may not prescribe more than a 7-day supply of controlled substances containing opioids to minors .
On February 4 , 2017 , the Commissioner of Professional and Occupational Affairs provided notice of the approval of the consent form all prescribers must use when prescribing opioids to patients under the age of 18 . The consent form is available on the Bureau ’ s website at www . dos . pa . gov / ProfessionalLicensing .
In SB 1367 , now Act 125 of 2016 , prescribers must comply with the following procedure before issuing to a minor the first prescription in a single course of treatment for a controlled
MAY / JUNE 2017 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 9