From our friends at Better Choices for Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Senate is expected to vote today on an amended bill that would give the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) unprecedented authority over the next year to make changes in benefits, eligibility and provider payments without legislative oversight or public comment. If approved, the bill would then head to the House.
An amendment to the bill approved in the Senate Wednesday gives DPW unchecked authority to cut welfare to work programs, child care assistance, Medical Assistance benefits, and health care provider payments. Random drug-testing would be administered to enrollees in Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Food Stamps, General Assistance and state supplemental assistance.
Please call the Harrisburg offices of your Senator and House Representative today. Tell them to vote no on the Welfare Code bill, HB 960, as amended in the Senate.
Want to learn more? Community Legal Services of Philadelphia has an easy-to-read one-page summary here. You can also view the full amendment here.
