Bill Text: PA SR213 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study of the feasibility and cost savings associated with transferring functions from the Department of Health to other departments or agencies as well as merging the duties of the Department of Health with the Department of Public Welfare.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 6-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-11-25 - Referred to PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE [SR213 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-SR213-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 1526
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 213 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY ORIE, ALLOWAY, BROWNE, FARNESE, McILHINNEY, RAFFERTY AND WAUGH, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to
conduct a study of the feasibility and cost savings
associated with transferring functions from the Department of
Health to other departments or agencies as well as merging
the duties of the Department of Health with the Department of
Public Welfare.
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth faced a $3.2 billion deficit in
fiscal year 2008-2009, and a number of program cuts were
achieved in the fiscal year 2009-2010 budget; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth must continue to explore a broad
range of options to achieve additional savings and limit the
possibility of future revenue shortfalls; and
WHEREAS, It seems prudent to study how best to rightsize
various State agencies and stop spending taxpayers' funds on
redundant administrative costs, starting with the Department of
Health; and
WHEREAS, The Department of Health and the Department of
Public Welfare both have deputy secretaries, bureaus and offices
for children, youth and families, alcohol and drug abuse
prevention, hospital operations and medical assistance and
managed care; and
WHEREAS, There are areas of program duplication and systems
design within the Department of Health, including an Office of
Health Care Reform; and
WHEREAS, There may be some areas within the Department of
Health, such as Emergency Medical Services, that could be better
served in other State agencies, such as the Pennsylvania
Emergency Management Agency; and
WHEREAS, Twelve states have a joint department of Public
Welfare and Health, and three states have a joint department of
Health and Environment; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
conduct a study of the feasibility and cost savings associated
with transferring functions from the Department of Health to
other departments or agencies as well as merging the duties of
the Department of Health with the Department of Public Welfare;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
explore a broad range of options with regard to how to structure
health services to best manage the resources of the
Commonwealth; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
report its findings, along with recommendations as appropriate,
to the Senate within one year of adoption of this resolution.
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