Safety Net Association of PA – Medical Assistance Reform

Because SNAP believes that Pennsylvania's Medical Assistance program needs to do more to ensure the continued ability of the state's safety-net hospitals to serve their communities, Medical Assistance reform is the association's number one public policy priority. In this section, we present a variety of documents that address SNAP's views on Medical Assistance reform in Pennsylvania.

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April 2008: SNAPShots, SNAP's newsletter (pdf)

The April 2008 edition of SNAPShots highlights Medical Assistance payment redesign in Pennsylvania and the leading role that SNAP has played in inspiring these changes.

June 2005: SNAPShots, SNAP's newsletter (pdf)

The June edition of SNAPShots is devoted to SNAP's perspective on what's next for Medical Assistance in Pennsylvania once this year's state budget has been passed.

November 2004: SNAPShots, SNAP's newsletter (pdf)

In this edition of SNAPShots, SNAP offers a broad overview of the Medical Assistance reform process, including the organization's approach to reform talks and the issues on the negotiating table.

February 2004: SNAPShots, SNAP's newsletter (pdf)

A report on how the reform process is expected to work, including special committees established by the state to work on individual issues.

November 2003: SNAPShots, SNAP's newsletter (pdf)

A report on the first Medical Assistance reform meeting between state officials and representatives of the hospital industry.

October 2003: “Medical Assistance Reform Objectives” (pdf)

SNAP members adopted formal objectives that they intend to pursue during Medical Assistance reform talks with the Department of Public Welfare.

October 2003: Memo on first Medical Assistance reform meeting with state officials (pdf)

In a memo to SNAP members, SNAP president Charlie DeBrunner reports on the first Medical Assistance reform meeting with state officials, noting the participants, presenting meeting highlights, outlining the state's expectations and goals, and detailing some key budget considerations.

June 2003: “Pennsylvania's Medical Assistance Program: Recommendations for Hospital Policy Reform” (pdf)

SNAP presents the issues that it believes need to be addressed as part of any effort to reform Pennsylvania's Medical Assistance program.

January 2003: "The Challenges Facing Safety-Net Hospitals in Pennsylvania" (pdf)

In this paper, SNAP presents the factual basis for its belief that Pennsylvania's safety-net hospitals require special assistance from the commonwealth if they are to continue serving their communities.

November 2002: Position paper on the importance of the state recognizing the special role of Pennsylvania's safety-net hospitals (pdf)

In this position paper, SNAP argues that because of the special role that safety-net hospitals play in providing a health care safety net for low-income Pennsylvanians, these hospitals should receive special consideration from the state when Medical Assistance policy is developed, implemented, and updated.

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