More Pennsylvanians - nearly 35,000 more - will qualify for free medical services this year through the Medical Asssistance Program administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.
The increase in enrollment is driven by the state's aging population and by growing unemployment. And it is creating severe budgetary problems for the state. The current budget, adopted before the current economic crisis, called for spending $5.3 billion this year. Now, with state revenue far below expectations, expenses related to Medical Assistance are rising.
