Jun. 19, 2018
Bloom bill would combine health, human services
HARRISBURG – The House State Government Committee today advanced a series of state agency unification bills which seek to save taxpayer dollars and improve the delivery of services to Pennsylvanians, said Rep. Stephen Bloom (R-Cumberland), author of one of the measures.
Bloom’s proposal,
House Bill 2104, would unify the Department of Health with the Department of Human Services to create the realigned Department of Health and Human Services.
“These two, currently separate departments offer services that often overlap,” Bloom said. “Combining these departments into just one would create a no-wrong-door approach for Pennsylvanians who would continue to receive high-quality services under the umbrella of a single department, but in a more efficient and cost-effective manner for taxpayers.”
As part of the unification process, the legislation would require a 20 percent reduction in administrative costs, improved delivery of government services to all residents and elimination of redundant programs resulting in improved use of state funds.
Gov. Tom Wolf proposed a similar agency consolidation as part of his 2017-18 state budget.
“To reform Pennsylvania’s bloated and costly government, it’s imperative that people on both sides of the aisle unite behind good ideas,” Bloom said. “I’m willing to work with any governor from any party to implement beneficial reforms like this, to make our state government more efficient and effective in delivering vital services, and to save money for our hard-working taxpayers.”
The committee also advanced legislation to unify seven other Commonwealth agencies.
House Bill 2104 now awaits consideration by the full House.
Representative Stephen Bloom
199th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Abbey Haslam
717.260.6222
ahaslam@pahousegop.com
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