HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Pennsylvania Public Welfare Secretary Estelle B. Richman has announced that the department is reaching out to physicians with materials to help them identify domestic violence victims and let them know where they can refer patients to receive appropriate services.
As part of the same project, DPW will provide information to
Pennsylvania's Medicaid (Medical Assistance) recipients to increase awareness
about domestic violence and give them advice on how and where to get help.
"Domestic violence affects families from all nationalities, races and
socio-economic backgrounds, and has both human and economic costs,"
Richman said. "We have a duty to end the scourge of domestic violence, and
this awareness initiative for Medical Assistance recipients will add to our
other efforts to prevent and address domestic violence."
Through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Medical Society, more than
18,400 primary-care physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners
in the state will receive a domestic violence-screening tool to use with their
patients and information about available resources for victims of domestic
violence. The tool was developed by the society's Medical Director's Forum.
"Domestic violence is so often kept in the home - hidden from those who
could help," Richman said. "That's why we are pleased to have the
Pennsylvania Medical Society among our partners in engaging doctors, so they
can help us reach those who need help."
A series of four articles on domestic violence awareness, prevention and
how to get help will be included in all of the newsletters distributed by
managed-care organizations to Medical Assistance consumers. Other consumer-directed efforts will include pocket cards and information on Web sites. Physician practices will have the opportunity to order patient educational materials for their offices.
The Department of Public Welfare worked with a number of partners on this
initiative, including the Medicaid managed-care organizations, the Department
of Health, the Pennsylvania Medical Society, the Managed Care Association of
Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Coalitions Against Domestic Violence and Rape
and the State Police.
In , more than 120 people were killed in Pennsylvania as a result of
domestic violence.
This fiscal year, DPW will spend more than $19 million in state and
federal funds on direct services for victims of domestic violence, as well as
prevention activities. These programs are provided through a grant with the
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, which contracts with 62
local non-profit agencies. The Coalition also provides training to county
social workers and domestic relations staff so they can identify domestic
violence victims and refer them to services.
Pennsylvania's Medical Assistance Program provides healthcare coverage to
more than 1.5 million low-income residents.
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare