Saturday, September 29, 2007
Computers stolen from welfare office
Computers stolen from welfare office
BY JAN MURPHY / Of The Patriot-News, 09/10/07 10:23 PM EDT
UPDATED: 09/11/07 12:08 AM EDT
Two computers containing the mental health histories of more than 300,000 medical-assistance recipients were stolen from a state Public Welfare Department office last month, a spokesman for Gov. Ed Rendell confirmed Monday.
The computer work stations were taken Aug. 22 during an overnight break-in at an office in the former Harrisburg State Hospital, said Rendell spokesman Chuck Ardo.
The mental health information on the computers identified people by codes and not by name, Ardo said. The information also was protected by multiple passwords, he said, but full names and Social Security numbers of nearly 2,000 people were also on the computers.
JAN MURPHY: 232-0668
or jmurphy@patriot-news.com
BY JAN MURPHY / Of The Patriot-News, 09/10/07 10:23 PM EDT
UPDATED: 09/11/07 12:08 AM EDT
Two computers containing the mental health histories of more than 300,000 medical-assistance recipients were stolen from a state Public Welfare Department office last month, a spokesman for Gov. Ed Rendell confirmed Monday.
The computer work stations were taken Aug. 22 during an overnight break-in at an office in the former Harrisburg State Hospital, said Rendell spokesman Chuck Ardo.
The mental health information on the computers identified people by codes and not by name, Ardo said. The information also was protected by multiple passwords, he said, but full names and Social Security numbers of nearly 2,000 people were also on the computers.
JAN MURPHY: 232-0668
or jmurphy@patriot-news.com
Labels: Dept of Public Welfare
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency News
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency News
PA Department of Public Welfare Begins Outreach to Medical Assistance Consumers Following Burglary at State Office Building
HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 11 PRNewswire-USNewswire — The Department of Public Welfare today began notifying medical assistance consumers in the behavioral health system whose personal information may have been contained on two computers that were stolen from a DPW office building in Harrisburg.
The burglary remains under investigation. There is no indication that any of the information on the stolen computers has been used inappropriately.
"The burglary was an unfortunate event and we sincerely apologize to all of those who may be affected by it," said Public Welfare Secretary Estelle B. Richman. "The department is taking all appropriate steps to prevent an incident like this from occurring in the future and is working with both state and local authorities and community partners to help those potentially affected."
The majority of information on the computers, which was protected by multiple security passwords, did not identify consumers by name and contained only coded information relating to the treatment of consumers in the behavioral health system. However, the information for approximately 1,819 consumers did include names and Social Security numbers.
DPW has begun mailing notification letters to the approximately 375,000 individuals in the behavioral health system that could potentially be affected in order to explain what has happened and to assist them with any steps they will need to take.
PA Department of Public Welfare Begins Outreach to Medical Assistance Consumers Following Burglary at State Office Building
HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 11 PRNewswire-USNewswire — The Department of Public Welfare today began notifying medical assistance consumers in the behavioral health system whose personal information may have been contained on two computers that were stolen from a DPW office building in Harrisburg.
The burglary remains under investigation. There is no indication that any of the information on the stolen computers has been used inappropriately.
"The burglary was an unfortunate event and we sincerely apologize to all of those who may be affected by it," said Public Welfare Secretary Estelle B. Richman. "The department is taking all appropriate steps to prevent an incident like this from occurring in the future and is working with both state and local authorities and community partners to help those potentially affected."
The majority of information on the computers, which was protected by multiple security passwords, did not identify consumers by name and contained only coded information relating to the treatment of consumers in the behavioral health system. However, the information for approximately 1,819 consumers did include names and Social Security numbers.
DPW has begun mailing notification letters to the approximately 375,000 individuals in the behavioral health system that could potentially be affected in order to explain what has happened and to assist them with any steps they will need to take.
Labels: Dept of Public Welfare
