Computers containing patients’ information stolen from Pa. agency

HARRISBURG (AP) — Burglars stole two computers containing records on people who receive medical assistance benefits for mental health and substance abuse treatment, state officials said Tuesday.

The Department of Public Welfare was notifying about 375,000 people who could be affected by the thefts, Welfare Secretary Estelle Richman said.

Officials don’t believe any of the information on the stolen computers has been misused, she said. It was protected by multiple passwords, and most of it was coded and did not identify anyone by name, Richman said. Information for more than 1,800 people, however, included names and Social Security numbers.

“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,” Richman said.