Gov. Tom Wolf is discussing consolidation of four state departments under the Department of Health and Human Services to save money and streamline service, but local legislators are skeptical.

On Monday, Wolf’s office revealed a plan to merge the departments of Human Services, Health, Aging, and Drug and Alcohol Programs into one Department of Health and Human Services. The move would have to be approved by a primarily Republican legislative branch, where legislators have plenty of questions about the impact it could have on their constituents.“I recognize the serious strain across the board for the state agencies,” said state Sen. John Yudichak, D-Luzerne/Carbon.“While the consolidation of these agencies may be appealing from a balance sheet, we still have to deliver quality service to Pennsylvanians.”Wolf’s office did not provide figures on how much money the strategy would save, but indicated details will come out in next week’s budget plan.According to the governor, the consolidation would result in minimal layoffs across the agencies thanks to cuts in December — so there won’t be much in the way of savings there.Administration officials also pointed out that unifying Medicaid, addiction services and mental health counseling programs would increase the potential for federal matching aid.However, with a $3 billion deficit on hand, the savings could be minimal — and potential cuts to programs could be devastating.The drug fight“Let’s not step over dollars to look for nickels,” said state Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon.“The administration should continue to prioritize the opioid epidemic and all potential solutions.”Heffley said he isn’t necessarily against the consolidation, but he wants to ensure that Carbon County can continue to fight the drug scourge.“I support streamlining government and ensuring money is spent on those who need it most,” he said.In tandem with the departure of a trusted partner in the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, who was dismissed by Wolf, treatment and prevention efforts could see some difficulties.“I am anxious to see the full details of the governor’s proposal, and I was disappointed to see the dismissal of Secretary Gary Tennis last week,” Heffley said.“He has been a champion of prevention and treatment throughout the opioid crisis. As we work through the budget process, I will be cognizant of how this will impact opioid addiction treatment and services provided in Carbon County.”State Sen. Mario Scavello has seen more than his fair share of the same crisis in Monroe and Northampton counties. He, too, said he was willing to vote against the plan if there were any cuts to the drug and alcohol program.“It’s staggering, absolutely staggering,” Scavello said of the opioid problem. “But we’ve made some great strides.”Scavello said that the necessity for addiction treatment and prevention is so dire that the drug and alcohol program would ideally work best on its own.“We need to keep it separate and invest in it so that the people can get the help they need,” he said.Senior citizensYudichak is particularly interested in speaking with agency workers and representatives to get a picture of the impact that the consolidation will have on patients, especially seniors. While running the numerous programs that many seniors need under one roof could be an efficient move, even modest changes in the agencies may create some confusion.“Aging is a great concern, and the impact on the seniors in our community,” Yudichak said. “We don’t want to see them get lost in a new mega-agency.”Other lawmakers are reticent to make a call on the measure, and are hoping to get a better explanation of the effects on the agencies and services after the budget meeting.State Rep. Jack Rader, R-Monroe, said that while he does support smaller and more efficient government, he has to see the as-yet-unknown details of the plan before offering his approval.“You can be more efficient in a business manner,” Rader said. “I don’t have a problem with that, as long as we’re not cutting and slashing services for people.”State Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-Schuylkill, concurs with that sentiment, though he did point out that the proposed structuring of the agencies is not unheard of.“It is something worth researching, something worth looking into,” Knowles said. “But I don’t know that they’re reinventing the wheel here. It seems very similar to how counties operate — you have the Department of Human Resources, and under that you have children and youth, senior services, MHMR, and drug and alcohol programs.”Knowles said he would like to know that services are not interrupted or cut.Following next week’s budget meeting, hearings will permit local legislators to voice their concerns.“I applaud the governor for thinking outside the box, but I’m looking forward to this going through the appropriations committee,” Yudichak said.