GOVERNMENT RELATIONS continued
Funding for this program continues to be an issue each year . PDA must be diligent in making sure that the state continues to appropriate the $ 150,000 required to maintain the two coordinators needed to run this program . We are happy to report that the legislature maintained funding for FY 2014-15 .
Health Practitioner Student Loan Forgiveness
Governor Corbett ’ s budget proposal included expanding access to primary care services in underserved areas by increasing by $ 4 million funding for the state ’ s health practitioner loan forgiveness program . The funding would be used to offer loan repayment to an additional 70 physicians , dentists and other primary care practitioners who agree to serve a certain number of years in designated health professional shortage areas .
The budget passed by the General Assembly included an additional $ 1 million in funding . The additional funding should increase the number of slots available to dentists . The program gives a maximum loan forgiveness capped at $ 64,000 for four years of service .
Other News
Electronic Health Records Incentive Payment Program
The Medicaid Electronic Health Records Incentive Payment Program is a federal program that provides funding to states to develop and administer Medical Assistance ( MA ) provider electronic incentive programs . States receive a 90 / 10 percent match for program administration expenses and 100 percent match for provider incentive payments . The program ’ s intent is to encourage provider adoption , implementation and meaningful use of electronic health records . Professionals could be eligible to receive payments up to $ 63,750 over a six-year period . In order to assist MA providers in understanding how to demonstrate “ meaningful use ” of the system , the Department of Public Welfare ( DPW ) issued guidance to the provider community , which is available on PDA ’ s website at www . padental . org .
Providers should contact DPW directly with questions about this program . For questions and / or to provide feedback about the Medical Assistance Electronic Health Records Incentive Program , please contact DPW at RA-mahealthit @ pa . gov or 1-888-734-6433 .
Prescription Drug Abuse
There is growing concern among lawmakers and the Administration about the misuse of prescription drugs , which often results in an addiction to heroin , especially among teens . PDA has been asked to participate in stakeholder meetings to develop guidelines and resources for the health care provider community . Rep . Ron Marsico ( R-Dauphin ),
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