Smart Talk: Lead poisoning inspector policy changes
Following a state policy change, long-time lead inspectors aren't able to get contracts
Brett Sholtis / Transforming Health
Marilou Yingling holds an x-ray fluorescent "gun" that is used to determine the presence of lead paint. The device requires its radioactive elements to be replaced about once a year, and that costs about $3,000, Yingling said.
Brett Sholtis / Transforming Health
Marilou Yingling holds an x-ray fluorescent “gun” that is used to determine the presence of lead paint. The device requires its radioactive elements to be replaced about once a year, and that costs about $3,000, Yingling said.
Lead inspectors are warning that there are homes that need to be tested, but due to a recent change in how inspectors are paid, many of those home go without testing. A state policy change has cut off the funding source that used to pay for lead inspections across Pennsylvania.
Under the old system, lead inspectors would bill the state $350 for each home inspection, which would help pay for testing supplies and pay the inspectors.
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Under a new system, which began this year, the state requires Medicaid insurers to pay for lead testing and set up separate contracts with lead inspectors to perform the service. The new layer of bureaucracy means that fewer inspections are being done, but the problem of lead contamination in area homes has not changed.
Joining Smart Talk to discuss the changes and how they are affecting public health are WITF Transforming Health reporter Brett Sholtis; Leesa Allen, Executive Deputy Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services; and April Hutcheson, Director of Communications with the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Highlights
- :56 – Genesis of the story
- 3:34 – “Lead is a serious issue in Pennsylvania”
- 6:50 – Why the policy changed
- 14:48 – Screening more kids
- 17:00 – Caller input from York College
