Health Care Groups and Finance Committee Chair Advocate Expansion of Medicaid Program

Families USA, a national consumer health organization, and PhRMA, a pharmaceuticals group, are joining together to promote the expansion of the Medicaid program. On April 21, the groups launched a campaign to make health care more accessible and affordable by reforming Medicaid eligibility. These policy changes are intended to be included with health care reform legislation being developed in Congress. The groups advocate establishing an eligibility floor for Medicaid of 133 percent of poverty and sliding-scale subsidies for those who cannot afford to purchase insurance but do not qualify for Medicaid. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Baucus (D-MT) released a statement on the proposal saying that “increasing Medicaid access is a critical part of health care reform.” Read more!

HHS Releases FMAP Rates for First Two Quarters of FY 2009 Recalculated Based on ARRA Increases

The Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) released today in the Federal Register is for the first two quarters of FY 2009 (effective from October 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009). Rates are recalculated pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) including 6.2 increase to every state, plus the unemployment adjustment. See ANCOR's National Issues FMAP page to find your state's adjustment.






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Providers in Idaho Sue State Over Budget Cuts

On April 3, 16 providers of supports and services to individuals with disabilities filed a lawsuit against the state of Idaho stating that budget cuts could force 900 people with disabilities to lose residential services. The groups have asked the Judge to grant a temporary order preventing the state from enacting cuts set to begin on May 1. If the state is allowed to continue with the cuts it announced in March, providers will be forced to go out of business because of inadequate reimbursement rates, the plaintiffs say, resulting in more individuals with disabilities being moved to institutional settings. The suit alleges that the cuts are in violation of federal laws that require reimbursement rates to be high enough to ensure that all Medicaid recipients in a state have equal access to community-based programs. Read more!

Florida Residents Fight Cuts to Disability Services

Advocacy groups are protesting budget cuts in 2007 and 2008 which are affecting individuals who receive supports and services in Florida. Read more!

California Legislature Asks Disability Community to Help Make Budget Cuts

California’s legislature is asking state agencies and disability groups to help identify potential budget cuts or face another round of rate cuts for group homes and work programs. Providers of supports and services to individuals with disabilities already fighting to stay in business struggled to find ways to identify the $100 million in budget cuts requested by the legislature. Hundred of suggestions which have been gathered through public forums will be considered by the state legislature in the coming weeks. Read more!

CMS Issues Letter on Implementation of New SCHIP Law

The purpose of the letter, released by CMS on April 17, is to give an overview of the new SCHIP law passed in February 2009. Included in the letter are summaries of key provisions related to funding, eligibility and rates. CMS will release more detailed guidance letters in the coming months. Read more!

HHS Names Henry Claypool as Director of Office on Disability

Henry Claypool currently serves as the policy director for a long-term care provider, has held various advisory positions at HHS, and worked for CMS during the Clinton administration. He has a physical disability and has received Medicaid and Social Security benefits, giving him a unique perspective into these programs. His role as Director of the Office on Disability will be to oversee and advise HHS on policies and programs related to individuals with disabilities.
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Maine to Run Out of Medicaid Funding in Early May

Maine’s Medicaid program is in dire need of stimulus funds to avoid disruptions in services. The state’s Department of Health and Human Services is reporting that the Medicaid program will run out of money May 8th unless it receives federal stimulus funding. The Governor reports that Maine will use the $334 million in enhanced FMAP allocated to the state in the recovery package to close existing funding deficits and to address rising demand over the next two years due to the poor economy. Thanks to Bonnie-Jean Brooks of OHI for this update. Read more!

Take Action on Federal Housing Legislation!

ANCOR continues to support legislation that would increase the availability of affordable, accessible housing—the Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1675), introduced by Representatives Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Judy Biggert (R-IL).

The bill would increase the number of affordable, accessible housing units for people with disabilities by:

• Removing "red tape" and streamlining the HUD Section 811 application process to encourage nonprofit providers to participate in the program.
• Authorizing a new Section 811 Demonstration Program that would make housing units funded through Low Income Housing Tax Credits and the HOME program affordable to individuals who rely on SSI and SSDI.
• Shifting renewal of Section 811-funded Mainstream Vouchers to the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Budget
  

Use ANCOR’s Action Center to make your voice heard in Congress! Visit ANCOR’s Action Alert to ask your member of Congress to co-sponsor the Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act (H.R. 1675).

ANCOR members are encouraged to use Priced Out in 2008 when personalizing their letter. (see related article on Priced Out in 2008) Use the data in the report to document the housing crisis in your state. Tell your organizations story--personalize the letter attached to the alert with issues you are facing with supporting individuals in the community and the lack of affordable, accessible housing. Include your state’s sobering statistics to illustrate the housing crisis faced by people with disabilities.

If you have any questions, contact ANCOR Staff Jessica Sadowsky (jsadowsky@ancor.org). For more information on housing issues, visit ANCOR’s housing webpage.

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People with Disabilities Priced Out in 2008: Beneficiaries Need 112 Percent of Monthly SSI to Rent One Bedroom

A new report issued Monday, April 13th by the Technical Assistance Collaborative (TAC) and the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Housing Task force reveals data that illustrates the severe housing affordability problems of people with disabilities who must survive on incomes far below the federal poverty line. This report, Priced Out in 2008, compares the federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments of people with serious and long-term disabilities to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Market Rents for modestly priced rental units.

Across the United States in 2008, people with disabilities with the lowest incomes faced an extreme housing affordability crisis as rents for moderately priced studio and one-bedroom apartments soared above their entire monthly income. According to Priced Out in 2008:

• SSI income needed to rent a modest one-bedroom unit has risen 62 percent from 69 percent of SSI in 1998 to 112.1 percent of SSI in 2008. The national average rent for a one-bedroom unit climbed to $749 per month and the studio/efficiency unit rent to $663 per month in 2008 – both higher than $667, the average monthly income of over 4 million people with disabilities.
• In 2008, 219 housing market areas across 41 states had modest one-bedroom rents that exceeded 100 percent of monthly SSI, including 25 communities with rents over 150 percent.
• Between 2006-2008, the number of market areas with modest rents higher than SSI rose from 164 to 219 – a 34 percent increase.
• For the first time, there were 3 housing market areas – Honolulu (HI), Columbia City (MD), and Nantucket County (MA) – where SSI recipients needed to spend over 200 percent of their income for a modest 1-bedroom housing unit.
  

ANCOR members are encouraged to use Priced Out in 2008 when discussing the need for affordable, accessible housing with their federal, state, and local officials. Use the data in the report to document the housing crisis in your state. Share this information with housing officials at the local and state level, who are responsible for developing strategies and plans to use federal housing resources. Respond to ANCOR’s new Action Alert on the Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1675). (see related article on Federal Housing Legislation) Tell your organizations story--personalize the letter attached to the alert with issues you are facing with supporting individuals in the community and the lack of affordable, accessible housing. Include your state’s sobering statistics to illustrate the housing crisis faced by people with disabilities.

If you have any questions, contact ANCOR Staff Jessica Sadowsky (jsadowsky@ancor.org). For more information on housing issues, visit ANCOR’s housing webpage.
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Policy Makers Increasingly View Long Term Care as Crucial to Health Care Reform

The importance of long term care is gaining awareness as members of Congress and health care experts move forward with health care reform plans. Long-time health care champion Senator Kennedy (D-MA) is adamant that a reform bill must include long term care and is pushing for the inclusion of the CLASS Act (S. 697 and H.R.1721), a bill he introduced which would create an optional long term care fund to aid people in paying for long term supports and services. Other groups are pushing for incentives to make long term care insurance more affordable while some have voiced concern that the expansion of government sponsored programs will be too costly. Read more!

TRN Job Coaching Web Course May 7, 2009

Training Resource Network, Inc. (TRN) still has openings for its 2-week, 20-hour Job Coaching web training covering key principles and hands-on tools for effective job design, instructional and behavioral support strategies, and the development of natural and co-worker supports for workers with disabilities.

Registration is $149 US. Participants can start or log on at any time during the course period and participate in the training.

The course is taught by Tammara Geary. Tammara served as Executive Director of APSE: The Network on Employment for 10 years. She has trained and consulted extensively on supported employment, and as a job coach, received an award for Excellence in Direct Service. She is a lead associate for Griffin-Hammis Associates.

Registration is limited, and previous courses have filled to capacity.

Topics include:

• Principles of Job Design: Steps to take after getting the job, including analysis and task design.
• Job Training and Instructional Support: Setting up learning strategies using task analysis, systematic instruction, natural learning and reinforcement, and data collection.
• Natural Supports: Learn to develop supports using natural features of the work site, including co-workers.
• Social-Behavioral Support: Develop strategies to support workers to interact in socially expected ways to enhance job success.
  

Learn more about the training
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States Cut Social Safety Net as Deficits Grow

Widening budget deficits have prompted a majority of states to cut safety net programs including services to the elderly and disabled. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) passed in February provides $787 billion for a variety of programs but the money is estimated to cover only 40% of losses to state revenues. As a result, at least 34 states have already cut services to vulnerable populations. Read more!

HHS Seeks Public Input on Comparative Effectiveness

The Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness is soliciting public comments on comparative effectiveness programs. The council will hold a listening session on April 14 in Washington, DC to hear public comments that will help shape its recommendations for how funds allocated in the ARRA for comparative effectiveness should be spent. Members of the public who are not able to attend the session can submit their comments electronically and watch the event online. Read more!

States Name Spending ‘Czars’ and Create Websites to Track Stimulus Funding

States are increasingly appointing ‘implementation czars’ to oversee spending of federal dollars allocated through the ARRA. The individuals tapped to act as watchdogs of their state’s stimulus funds come from diverse backgrounds and their responsibilities vary from state to state. In general, these czars are tasked with planning and monitoring how funds are spent. All 50 states have also launched websites tracking how states spend federal ARRA funds.

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ANCOR Sponsors Free Alliance for Full Participation Employment Webinar—ANCOR Members Encouraged to Register

ANCOR is proud to sponsor the first in a series of Alliance for Full Participation webinars on employment of individuals with disabilities. The first of these webinars will be held May 7 at 4:00 pm ET. ANCOR members are encouraged to register and participate. Participation is free, however, participants must register beforehand. Dial in information will be emailed to all registered participants.

The Alliance for Full Participation has recently launched a major initiative to improve the employment infrastructure, services and outcomes for people with developmental disabilities. The primary focus of this initiative is on achieving demonstrable results on a state level. The Alliance is building and will guide state teams that include people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, advocates, service providers, business organizations, state government officials, and members of the general community to explore and transform the environment for employment in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. To support our state teams, and to bring awareness to the cause of increasing employment for people with developmental disabilities, the Alliance is hosting a series of quarterly webinars. For more information on AFP, visit www.allianceforfullparticipation.org, or call 301-706-6252. Join the Facebook group: Alliance For Full Participation.


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Wisconsin Disability Agencies Receive Federal Grants to Increase Community Employment

These new dollars are part of Wisconsin’s state allotment of the $1 billion Community Development Block Grant released by HHS from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Read more!

HHS Announces $1 Billion in Community Development Block Grants for States to Distribute from Recovery Act

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced plans to make $1 billion available for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program. Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the new resources will be allocated to states across the country. States will distribute the new funding to community groups. Eligible organizations must use funds to provide services and activities addressing employment, education, housing, nutrition, and emergency services. (see related article on Wisconsin disability providers)

Services currently provided by community organizations that receive CSBG funds include:

• Job training and placement assistance.
• Financial literacy programs such as credit counseling.
• Housing assistance programs that help keep Americans in their homes.
• Nutrition programs that provide meals for vulnerable families.
• Community agencies that bring public and private resources together to assist families in need.
  

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President Obama Establishes White House Office of Health Reform

The President signed an executive order on April 8 establishing the office and has named former Clinton administration health official Nancy-Ann DeParle to head it.





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Alaska Advances Rate Review Bill

On April 7, the Alaska state Senate unanimously passed a bill creating an equitable and consistent process for rate reviews for providers of home and community-based services. The bill will next move to the state House for consideration.

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