PA STATE BUDGET AGREEMENT REACHED

On 7/4/08, the PA General Assembly finalized the budget for state FY 2008-09. 

          The state budget includes level funding for the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol programs (BDAP), Department of Health for a total of $42.602 million.  The Intermediate Punishment Program, Drug and Alcohol Treatment line item will be reduced by $426 thousand for a total of $17.574 million and the Behavioral Health Services Initiative will decrease by $136 thousand for a total of $45.164 million.  (The drug and alcohol portion of this line item is about 55%.)

                                                                                                           

2008-09 PA FINAL STATE BUDGET

PENNSYLVANIA DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE PREVENTION

AND ADDICTION TREATMENT BUDGET

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

                   

                                                                

Final Budget

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH                     2005-06     2006-07    2007-08   2008-09    

Bureau of Drug & Alcohol Programs (BDAP)

State Assistance                                                     $38,646       $41,623     $42,602      $42,602

D&A Block Grant (F)                                           $55,328       $56,396     $56,719      $57,041

Liquor Control Board                                            $  1,972        $ 2,040      $ 2,121      $  2,121

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE

     Behavioral Health Services Initiative (BHSI)*$43,981   $43,981    $45,300        $45,164

Intergovernmental Transfer (F)**$15,107   $12,107    $12,107        $12,107

Act 152                                                                  $18,175   $17,464    $16,227        $16,227

PA COMMISSION ON CRIME & DELINQUENCY

Intermediate Punishment – D&A Treatment    $15,825   $15,825   $18,000         $17,574

 

(F) – Federal Funding, projected by the state

*Drug and alcohol portion equals an estimated 55%

**The Federal Intergovernmental Transfer Program is expected to be entirely phased out over the

next few years

 

This information has been provided by the Drug and Alcohol Service Provider Organization of PA (DASPOP)

 

Federal Budget Still Under Debate

Federal dollars for drug and alcohol abuse prevention and addiction treatment services for Pennsylvania enumerated in the attached chart are projections only and will be finalized after passage of the federal budget.  Although the federal fiscal year begins October 1, 2008, U.S. Congress has not reached an agreement on the federal budget and resolution of the federal spending plan may not occur until 2009.

 

Pending Legislation

DEPARTMENT OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROGRAMS

FACT SHEET

House Bill 614, PN 680, establishing the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs was introduced on March 6, 2007 by Representative Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks).

            House Bill 614 moves the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs and all of its functions to the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. 

            This proposed legislation makes no changes in the existing powers and duties of the drug and alcohol Single State Authority as defined by Act 63 of 1972.

 

Background

In 1970, Congress enacted legislation requiring states to establish Single State Authorities to address the alcohol and drug problem, to maintain oversight and accountability and to administer federal funding for this express purpose.

            In response, the Pennsylvania General Assembly enacted Act 63 of 1972 establishing Pennsylvania’s Single State Authority on Drug and Alcohol and delineating its Powers and Duties.  Since 1972, the agency has been structured as a free-standing Council, a deputate and a bureau.  Effectiveness and authority have diminished with each downward move.  Information on alcohol and other drug addiction treatment and prevention priorities must now be filtered through many layers of government before reaching the Governor.

Why Do We Need a Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs?

---  788,202 Pennsylvanians have a drug and alcohol problem and are unable to obtain treatment.

---  1 in 4 families in Pennsylvania are struggling to help a loved one with a drug and alcohol problem.

---  ALCOHOL AND DRUG PROBLEMS DRIVE THE FINANCES OF STATE GOVERNMENT and

force certain spending priorities on us. 

 

How Does Untreated Addiction Drive State Finances and Spending Priorities?

• 70% of the prison population has an alcohol and drug problem

 

                 Impact on the budget of the Department of Corrections = $980 million

• 1 of every 5 dollars spent by Medicaid on hospital care is expended for drug and alcohol related health care problems

 

                 Impact on the budget of the Department of Public Welfare = $1.8 billion

• Drug and alcohol abuse and addiction is involved with 70% to 80% of the

      Children and Youth caseload

                Impact on the budget of Children and Youth = $1 billion

            Drug and alcohol problems uniquely effect most aspects of government in Pennsylvania including: the Department of Corrections, the Board of Probation and Parole, the State Police, the Office of the Attorney General, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the Insurance Department, the Department of Labor and Industry, the Department of Health and the Department of Transportation

Who Supports the Bill?

There is broad support for this legislation from individuals and organizations providing prevention and treatment services, from county planning agencies and from recovery organizations.

            Supporting organizations are:

            The Drug and Alcohol Service Providers Organization of Pennsylvania (DASPOP),representinga statewide coalition of treatment and prevention programs, practitioners, employee assistance programs, student assistance programs and drug and alcohol associations.

            The Pennsylvania Association of County Drug and Alcohol Administrators (PACDAA),representing the Drug and Alcohol Single County Authorities for all 67 counties in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

            The Pennsylvania Recovery Organization-Alliance (PRO-A) representing a statewide coalition of families and people in recovery.

PENNSYLVANIA NEEDS CABINET OFFICIAL-TO-CABINET OFFICIAL ADVOCACY AND LEADERSHIP TO ADDRESS THE ALCOHOL AND DRUG PROBLEM

 

Other Policy Issues

Proposed Amendments To Confidentiality Regulations on Drug And Alcohol Treatment Patient Records And Information  (4 Pa. Code § 255.5)

 

Copy of the Proposed Amendments: http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/lib/health/facilities/ANNEXA10-1864-25-08.pdf

Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs - Frequently Asked Questions regarding proposed changes to the Confidentiality Regulations: http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/lib/health/facilities/FAQBDAP042508.pdf

 

Independent Regulatory Review Commission's (IRRC) website with additional information on the Department's 4 Pa. Code Section 255.5 amendments

A copy of the letter from PRO-A and our Regional Affiliates can be found in the May 2008 edition of the PRO-A Quarterly Report.