The Pennsylvania Health Law Project reports that Department of Public Welfare (DPW) Secretary Beverly Mackereth has announced that DPW has shelved the planned elimination of the Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD) program.  The program was scheduled to end effective Jan. 1, 2015.

MAWD provides health coverage to over 34,000 working Pennsylvanians with disabilities who don’t qualify for other categories of Medical Assistance, usually due to their earnings.  It provides an important incentive for people with disabilities to work and still keep their Medical Assistance coverage.  It allows individuals with disabilities to work without fear of losing their critically important health insurance coverage, including personal assistance services and other supports they need to get and keep a job and remain in the community. 

PHLP worked closely with numerous disability organizations and persons on MAWD to highlight how eliminating this program would have a devastating effect.  These advocacy efforts included drafting and coordinating comments to state and federal officials by many disability organizations and the Consumer Subcommittee of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee, assisting affected individuals in drafting their own comments, and providing information to stakeholders.