Hospital will qualify for drug program

During a short meeting Wednesday, the Lackawanna County Commissioners agreed to enter into a “memorandum of understanding” between Lackawanna County and Moses Taylor Hospital to help the hospital qualify for a drug discount program for low-income seniors.

Under the Outpatient Drug Discount Program, the hospital commits to provide health care services at no reimbursement or considerably low reimbursement to low-income individuals who are not entitled to Medicare or Medicaid benefits.

Michael Costello, Vice President of Moses Taylor, said the hospital sees a disproportionate amount of senior citizens compared to other area hospitals, which allows them to qualify for the program. Also, it is also the only local hospital delivering infants, which helps it meet program requirements.

“Historically, Moses Taylor Hospital has been doing this for years, and we are committing to continue doing this for the residents of Lackawanna County in the future as part of this agreement to provide services,” Costello said at the meeting.

In order to participate in the Outpatient Drug Discount Program, the hospital must enter into an agreement with a unit of the state or local government. The Commissioners were more than happy to support the hospital’s efforts and voted unanimously to approve the agreement.

Other items of business included the unanimous approval of revised provider contracts between the Lackawanna County Department of Human Services and Catholic Social Services and the Scranton-Lackawanna Human Development Agency for the Homeless Assistance Program Grant for July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010. They also made appointed William Cockerill to the Workforce Investment Board and David Bisignani to the Lackawanna County Housing Authority.

“We agreed on everything today. Anyone tuning in for the first time in two years might say, ‘My goodness! What’s going on?’ But it’s really great,” Commissioner Michael Washo joked.

The commissioners ended its meeting by congratulating Monsignor Joseph Bambera, a Carbondale native, to his recent appointment of Bishop of the Diocese of Scranton. Commissioner Corey O’Brien said he was happy to see “one of our own” in the position, as Bambera is only the second clergyman born in Lackawanna County to be appointed to bishop of the Scranton Diocese.

“We just want to welcome him and we hope for a long and fruitful term for the bishop,” Commissioner A.J. Munchak said.