Mary Pauline Jones comes to us from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee where she worked under former Congressman Tom Davis (R-VA). Previously, she has worked for the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and has done political consulting in Virginia. Mary Pauline is ANCOR members’ direct contact on state budget and Medicaid, Emergency Preparedness, and ANCOR’s grassroots efforts. Mary Pauline can be contacted at mpjones@ancor.org.
Please join ANCOR in welcoming Mary Pauline!
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Thursday, July 9, 2009
Braddock Releases Study on Illinois Developmental Disability Services and Funding
Dr. David Braddock today released Services and Funding for People with Developmental Disabilities in Illinois: A Multi-State Comparative Analysis, an analysis of services and funding for people with developmental disabilities in the state of IllinoisThe study compares the performance of Illinois with five other Midwestern states of Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Data for this report is drawn from the seventh edition of the State of the States in Developmental Disabilities and supplemented with data from the state of Illinois.
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Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Franken Takes Seat in Senate and on HELP Committee
Al Franken (D-MN) was installed as Minnesota’s junior Senator. With Franken’s swearing-in, the Democratic caucus would now have a filibuster-proof, 60-vote majority, if Senators Kennedy (D-MA) and Byrd (D-WV) were not absent for health reasons. Franken will serve on the HELP committee, relieving Senator Whitehouse (D-RI) of his temporary duty on that committee. Franken will also serve on the Aging, Indian Affairs, and Judiciary committees.
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HUD Releases 4000 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers
July 10, 2009 Reminder: Comments on the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Notice of Available Funding are due Monday, July 13th. ANCOR will be commenting on the notice. See below for a link to the notice from HUD.
On July 1st, HUD joined President Obama's commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision by announcing that it will offer rental assistance to 4,000 non-elderly families with disabilities, including 1,000 vouchers specifically targeted to those transitioning out of nursing homes and other facilities. Through its funding notice, HUD is seeking comment from public housing authorities and others to ensure this critically needed assistance is distributed and administered in the most effective manner possible.
Today's announcement coincides with the tenth anniversary of the Supreme Court's ruling in Olmstead v. L.C. & E.W. which affirmed the rights of individuals with disabilities to live independently. To commemorate this landmark decision, President Obama declared 2009 the Year of Community Living.(see related article)
"As individuals with disabilities leave institutional care, it is essential that they have housing options that will allow them to live independently," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "As we prepare to launch this initiative, we also want to make certain that we get input from local housing experts, disability rights advocates and others who can help us target this assistance to those who need it most. We also recognize how important it is for HUD and HHS to coordinate our resources to enable community-living for those individuals that live with disabilities."
HUD's Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) will make $30 million in voucher assistance available to support approximately 4,000 Housing Choice Vouchers for non-elderly disabled families. HUD is making a 1,000 of those vouchers available specifically for individuals transitioning out of nursing homes and other institutions. These vouchers directly support a $1.75 billion initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help persons who reside in health care settings move to community-based living. While HHS' Money Follows the Person (MFP) program offers health care, case management and other services to qualified families, it does not include funding for housing. HUD's funding initiative is designed to fill that gap.
The remaining 3,000 Housing Choice Vouchers are available to assist any non-elderly disabled family. The Department is encouraging local housing authorities to give strong consideration to using some or all of these vouchers to provide housing for those non-elderly persons that are living in the community, but are at-risk for institutionalization. Comments on the NOFA are due Monday, July 13th. ANCOR will be submitting comments. Read more!
On July 1st, HUD joined President Obama's commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision by announcing that it will offer rental assistance to 4,000 non-elderly families with disabilities, including 1,000 vouchers specifically targeted to those transitioning out of nursing homes and other facilities. Through its funding notice, HUD is seeking comment from public housing authorities and others to ensure this critically needed assistance is distributed and administered in the most effective manner possible.
Today's announcement coincides with the tenth anniversary of the Supreme Court's ruling in Olmstead v. L.C. & E.W. which affirmed the rights of individuals with disabilities to live independently. To commemorate this landmark decision, President Obama declared 2009 the Year of Community Living.(see related article)
"As individuals with disabilities leave institutional care, it is essential that they have housing options that will allow them to live independently," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "As we prepare to launch this initiative, we also want to make certain that we get input from local housing experts, disability rights advocates and others who can help us target this assistance to those who need it most. We also recognize how important it is for HUD and HHS to coordinate our resources to enable community-living for those individuals that live with disabilities."
HUD's Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) will make $30 million in voucher assistance available to support approximately 4,000 Housing Choice Vouchers for non-elderly disabled families. HUD is making a 1,000 of those vouchers available specifically for individuals transitioning out of nursing homes and other institutions. These vouchers directly support a $1.75 billion initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help persons who reside in health care settings move to community-based living. While HHS' Money Follows the Person (MFP) program offers health care, case management and other services to qualified families, it does not include funding for housing. HUD's funding initiative is designed to fill that gap.
The remaining 3,000 Housing Choice Vouchers are available to assist any non-elderly disabled family. The Department is encouraging local housing authorities to give strong consideration to using some or all of these vouchers to provide housing for those non-elderly persons that are living in the community, but are at-risk for institutionalization. Comments on the NOFA are due Monday, July 13th. ANCOR will be submitting comments. Read more!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
CMS Releases New FMAP Frequently Asked Questions
Today, the CMS released one of a series of Medicaid Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) designed to provide guidance on the implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), Public Law 111-5.The FAQs address questions that have been submitted to the ARRA mailbox, CMSOARRAQuestions@cms.hhs.gov. Future Medicaid FAQs letters will be issued in the coming weeks and months. This CMS document, along with other CMS documents on the FMAP increase under the ARRA stimulus legislation is available on ANCOR’s Economic Recovery web page.
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Long Term Services Provisions Gain Bi-Partisan Approval in Senate HELP Committee Health Legislation Mark Up
The Senate HELP Committee today finished marking up long-term service provisions, also known as the Community Living Assistance Supports and Services (CLASS) Act, included in the panel's healthcare overhaul. The measure received bi-partisan support from the committee after members agreed by voice vote to add a provision that would ensure the program’s solvency. ANCOR supports the CLASS Act, which creates a voluntary opt-out payroll deduction that would provide people experiencing functional impairments with tiered benefits if they have contributed a monthly premium over five years. The Congressional Budget Office estimated the program will save the government $58 billion over the first 10 years—taking pressure off Medicaid as the primary financier of long-term care. In addition, the program would be a new, private source of funding for ANCOR members and others that provide long-term supports and services. The Obama administration supports including the long-term care measures in healthcare reform. In a letter sent to Senate Democrats today, HHS Secretary Sebelius called the plan "innovative."
Thank you to ANCOR members that urged their Senators to support the CLASS Act and the inclusion of long-term services and supports in health reform legislation.
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Thank you to ANCOR members that urged their Senators to support the CLASS Act and the inclusion of long-term services and supports in health reform legislation.
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Friday, June 26, 2009
Secretary Sebelius Releases New State by State Reports Highlighting Urgent Need for Health Reform
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today released a series of new reports on the health care status quo that highlight the urgent need for health reform across the nation. The new reports are available at www.HealthReform.gov and include information on health care cost and quality in all fifty states.
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Make Appointments to Meet with Your Member of Congress During July 4th Recess
Make appointments to meet with your members of Congress during the July 4th Congressional recess (June 30th -July 3rd)! Watch for Town Hall Meeting notices from ANCOR that list other opportunities to reach out to members of Congress and their staff.
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DOL Annouces Disability Employment Month Theme: Expectation + Opportunity = Full Participation
The U.S. Department of Labor today announced “Expectation + Opportunity = Full Participation” as the official theme for October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month. It is intended to urge employers, as they seek to fill positions, to embrace the richness of America’s diversity by considering the talents of all workers, including workers with disabilities.
This year’s theme emphasizes the vision of the Labor Department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP): a world in which people with disabilities have unlimited employment opportunities. Early selection of an annual theme for upcoming National Disability Employment Awareness Month helps the private sector; federal, state and local governments; and advocacy organizations plan events and programs that showcase the abilities and skills of job seekers and working Americans who have disabilities.
ODEP is the nation’s first assistant secretary-led office that addresses policies that impact upon the employment of people with disabilities. The office provides national leadership on disability employment policy by developing and influencing the use of evidence-based disability employment policies and practices, building collaborative partnerships, and delivering authoritative and credible data on the employment of people with disabilities.
As background for National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Public Law 176, enacted by Congress in 1945, designated the first week in October as “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” President Harry S. Truman designated the (now former) President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities to carry out the law. Congress changed the name to “National Disability Employment Awareness Month” in 1988. The responsibility for leading the nationwide recognition was transferred to the newly created ODEP in 2001. Read more!
This year’s theme emphasizes the vision of the Labor Department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP): a world in which people with disabilities have unlimited employment opportunities. Early selection of an annual theme for upcoming National Disability Employment Awareness Month helps the private sector; federal, state and local governments; and advocacy organizations plan events and programs that showcase the abilities and skills of job seekers and working Americans who have disabilities.
ODEP is the nation’s first assistant secretary-led office that addresses policies that impact upon the employment of people with disabilities. The office provides national leadership on disability employment policy by developing and influencing the use of evidence-based disability employment policies and practices, building collaborative partnerships, and delivering authoritative and credible data on the employment of people with disabilities.
As background for National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Public Law 176, enacted by Congress in 1945, designated the first week in October as “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” President Harry S. Truman designated the (now former) President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities to carry out the law. Congress changed the name to “National Disability Employment Awareness Month” in 1988. The responsibility for leading the nationwide recognition was transferred to the newly created ODEP in 2001. Read more!
Six New Co-Sponsors in June for Workforce Bill
Representatives Betty McCollum (D-MN), Pete Sessions (R-TX), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT, and Steve Isreal (D-NY) have recently signed on to the Direct Support Professional Fairness and Security Act (H.R. 868)! Thank you to ANCOR members in Minnesota, Texas, Connecticut, and New York for reaching out to these members.
See all 23 members of Congress supporting the bill so far! Read more!
See all 23 members of Congress supporting the bill so far! Read more!
Questions About Pan Flu?
ANCOR will continue its dialog with CMS as this situation unfolds. If you have questions about pandemic flu or emergency preparedness, or information on what your state is doing to prepare providers, please contact Jessica Sadowsky (jsadowsky@ancor.org)
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CMS June 17th Letter to Medicaid Directors Summarizing ARRA
This letter is one of a series designed to provide guidance on the implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), Public Law 111-5. It summarizes most sections of ARRA that impact titles XIX (the Medicaid program) and XXI (the Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP) of the Social Security Act (the Act) and provides detail on the sections specific to payments that should not be counted for purposes of eligibility for Federal programs. This letter includes information on the FMAP and disregard of one-time only SSI $250 check for purposes of all federally funded programs.
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Wednesday, June 24, 2009
State Revenues Plunge
Personal income taxes paid to the states plummeted 26 percent, or $28.8 billion, in the first four months of 2009, compared with the same time period last year, the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government said in its June 18 report.
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Monday, June 22, 2009
President Proclaims Year of Community Living
Marking the 10th Anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision, President Obama launched a new effort to assist Americans with disabilities—The Year of Community Living. The President directed Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan to work together to identify ways to improve access to housing, community supports, and independent living arrangements. In joining the President in commemorating the anniversary of the Olmstead decision, HHS Secretary Sebelius announced that agencies within her department would begin aggressively addressing barriers that prevent some Americans with disabilities from enjoying a meaningful life as part of their community.
Throughout this “Year of Community Living,” HHS will hold listening sessions, giving stakeholders an opportunity to come together for a common purpose: overcoming barriers to community-based living for people with disabilities and the elderly. These forums will help HHS craft the agenda to improve federal programs and better support the efforts of state and local government.
HUD announced that it will make1,000 housing vouchers available for individuals with disabilities transitioning from institutions to the community—targeting states operating Money Follows the Person Demonstration programs. HUD will award an additional 3,000 housing vouchers to serve non-elderly people with disabilities and encourage Public Housing Authorities to form working relationships with state Medicaid agencies interested in addressing community living needs of beneficiaries.
See the next issue of LINKs for more information. Read more!
Throughout this “Year of Community Living,” HHS will hold listening sessions, giving stakeholders an opportunity to come together for a common purpose: overcoming barriers to community-based living for people with disabilities and the elderly. These forums will help HHS craft the agenda to improve federal programs and better support the efforts of state and local government.
HUD announced that it will make1,000 housing vouchers available for individuals with disabilities transitioning from institutions to the community—targeting states operating Money Follows the Person Demonstration programs. HUD will award an additional 3,000 housing vouchers to serve non-elderly people with disabilities and encourage Public Housing Authorities to form working relationships with state Medicaid agencies interested in addressing community living needs of beneficiaries.
See the next issue of LINKs for more information. Read more!
CMS Issues Advance Notice of HCBS Waiver Rulemaking
The June 22nd Federal Register included a CMS Advanced notice of proposed rulemaking on the Medicaid 1915(c) waiver. The notice invites advanced public comments by August 21, 2009. The “advanced” notice is an announcement of CMS’ intention to publish a proposed rule and solicit public comments on the changes. Last year, ANCOR provided CMS with comments on the areas it is now asking for public comments on in this advanced notice. CMS is seeking to make changes in several areas: providing states with the option of designing 1915(c) waivers to serve more than one targeted population based on functional need rather than diagnosis or condition: recommendations to strengthen person-centered principles in HCBS waiver; requirements related to identifying home and community-based character of HCBS settings; and standards for defining home and community under waivers and CMS approval of a state’s definition. ANCOR will be submitting comments to CMS.
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Friday, June 19, 2009
Senate Health Reform Proposals Hit Bumps
The HELP committee began marking up this week its version of health care reform as scheduled. The incomplete proposal, according to the CBO, has an initial price tag of $1 trillion. HELP and Finance originally planned to mark up their bills this month and then merge negotiations after the July Fourth recess. However, Senate Finance Chairman Baucus (D-MT) announced that the Finance committee’s scheduled markup next week would be delayed until after July Fourth due to his determination to bring the $1.6 trillion Finance proposal down to less than $1 trillion AND make it deficit neutral.
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House Plan for Health Care Reform Unveiled
House Democrats released today an 852-page discussion draft of their health care reform proposal. The three House committees that worked together on the proposal(Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, Education and Labor) will begin debate on the measure in hearings next week. They are expected to mark up the bill soon after the July Fourth recess. Watch WICs Live and ANCOR's web for more information next week.
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Iowa Makes Good on Pledge to Use Enhanced FMAP Exempt Providers from Across Board Cuts
Iowa Governor Chet Culver implemented an across-the-board cut of 6.5% in his FY09 budget. For FY10 beginning July 1, 2009 there was an additional across-the-board cut of 4.8% on top of the previous 6.5%. The good news for Iowa providers is that the Governor made a commitment to them that they would be exempted from the across-the-board cuts if Congress came through with the enhanced FMAP funding via the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The Governor kept his commitment and providers were exempt. Thanks to Rod Braun of Christian Opportunity for this update.
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Federal Sick Leave Bill Introduced
Senator Kennedy (D-MA) and Representative DeLauro (D-CT) introduced The Healthy Families Act (S.1152 and H.R. 2160) which would require employers with 15 or more employees to accrue paid sick leave (with up to 56 hours of paid sick leave) for every 30 hours worked. The paid sick leave could be used after 60 days for an employee to care for the medical needs of a child, parent, spouse, or any blood relative, or for their own medical needs including those resulting from domestic violence. The HFA mandated sick leave would be in addition to leave required under the Family Medical Leave Act or state workers compensation laws, and employers' leave policies would have to be meet the HFA requirements should it be enacted. The Senate bill has 20 cosponsors and the House bill has 105 cosponsors. ANCOR will provide members with additional information on the HFA.
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Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Bill Watch: The Community Choice Act
The Community Choice Act would provide Americans with equal access to community-based services and supports. This ANCOR-supported bill would provide individuals with disabilities in nursing homes and other institutional settings with options to receive community-based services.Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) along with Representative Danny Davis (D-IL) introduced the Community Choice Act (S. 683; H.R. 1670) on March 23, 2009. The legislation has bi-partisan support. The Community Choice Act has been referenced in testimony at hearings concerning long-term services and supports within the context of health care reform. For more information visit www.passthechoiceact.com.
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