HomeMy WebLinkAbout1938.03.01CO; s~:?P~;4~'AL`Il-1 (~I' ?Ei~iv'SYLV1uy I1~ i:Y;i'ARTy:~,NT ~..~F "LBL~ C AS`_ ~ STAPdCE
iVir~i'•vitr;I`:~Uh; N0, 193
• Harri sbur~', January ~ ~ , , ~'~~= ---^- - -
~~~` "Since there is nethin&~ in the law imposing responsibility
on the Denartm?nt of Public Assistance to furni sh medical atter-
tion to dependents. and since the institutional districts of +•-"
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the dP-~artments of welfare ~f
cities of the first and second classes have imposed. upon thP*^
the responsibility of caring for thnsP -~hvsically or mentally
infirm, and since the institutional districts and the departm~~~,+~
of welfare of ci tips of the first and second classes are permi to
ed to make arpropriations to institutions who will give medicA~
care for the indigent childpen and ether dependents of their
particular district, it seems clear that the General Hssembly it
tended to place the responsibility of mer'ical attention upon the
cities of the first anti second classes. If the General Nssemh~
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania had intended any other niQr
it would have been, vPr~~ a im~i e to i n~~ sate `ts intention i n 1:.,
mistakable languar~.
"You are, therefore, advised that the responsibility of fur-
nishing medical attention to dependents in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania rests upon the institutional districts of our Common-
wealth and the departments of welfare in cities of the first and
second classes, and does not rest upon the Lepartment of Public
Assistance of the Corranonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- Charles J. ~iargiotti, titt'y. Gen.
Further letters of advice from the Lepartm~nt of Justice in-
dicate that the institutional districts and the departments of wel-
fare of cities of the first and second classes are liable for the
medical services rendered to all indigent persons in put Common-
wealth. ~'Ioreover, the law seems to be equally well settled that
where an indigent person is physically or mentally infirm and re-
quires institutional care or the services of a caretaker, the in-
stitutional r'.istrict is responsible for the economic need of such
individual. Generally sneaking it may be said that the Lenartment
of Public Assistance is responsi ble Por the economic needs of all
individuals who are sound *+hysically and mentally but are wi th~-~ut
meant of su-~rort because of economic conditions.
Thus it is clear that persons receiving aid from the Depart-
ment of Public Assistance uri 11 continue to recewe such Aid during
illness unless such illness re~uirPS institutionalisation for un-
less there is some change in their economic circumstances which
renders them ineligible for further assistance. Since the DPA
provides for maintenance items only, but can make no provision for
medical care and nursing services, the se may be obtained., simul-
taneously with the DPS grant, through facilities provided by the
County Commissioners.
- Hrt•-.ur ~+. Howe, Jr. , secretary