In today’s Federal Register, HHS announced the adjusted FMAP rates for the second quarter of FY 2010, as required in the Recovery Act (ARRA). See today’s Federal Register Notice for your state’s adjusted rate.
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Friday, April 30, 2010
Secretary Sebelius Announces New Members of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today the appointment of five new members to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), a federal advisory committee created in an effort to accelerate progress in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research and services. For more information on the IACC, visit http://www.iacc.hhs.gov/
New Members of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee
Geraldine Dawson, Ph.D.
As chief science officer for Autism Speaks, Dr. Dawson works with the scientific community and stakeholders to shape and expand the foundation's scientific vision. She also is a licensed clinical psychologist with a research focus on early detection and intervention, early patterns of brain dysfunction and the identification of biological markers for autism genetic studies. Dr. Dawson also serves as research professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, adjunct professor of psychiatry at Columbia University and professor emeritus of psychology at University of Washington.
Gerald D. Fischbach, M.D.
Dr. Fischbach is the scientific director for the Simons Foundation where he oversees the Autism Research Initiative. He has spent his career as a neuroscientist studying the formation and maintenance of synapses, the junctions between nerve cells which allow signals to be transmitted. Before joining the Simons Foundation, Dr. Fischbach served as the Director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke from 1998 to 2001 and as the Executive Vice President of Columbia University Medical Center and Dean of the faculties of medicine from 2001 to 2006.
Ari Ne'eman
Mr. Ari Ne'eman is the founding president of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, where he works to increase the representation of autistic people in public policy discussions. He is an adult on the autism spectrum and a leading advocate in the neurodiversity movement. Mr. Ne'eman has served on the New Jersey Adults with Autism Task Force and the New Jersey Special Education Review Commission, where he authored a minority report advocating legislative action against the use of aversives, restraint and seclusion. He is a board member of TASH, an advocacy group for people with disabilities, and is involved with the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education.
Denise D. Resnik
Denise Resnik is the co-founder and board development chair of the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC). She is the mother of an 18-year-old son with autism. Ms. Resnik serves on the Autism Speaks Family Services Committee and Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism (AFAA) Steering Committee. She participated in the 2006 NIMH Autism Matrix Review and the IACC Scientific Workshops to develop the IACC Strategic Plan and subsequent updates.
Marjorie Solomon, Ph.D.
Assistant professor of Clinical Psychiatry at the University of California, Davis Dr. Marjorie Solomon is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, Davis. She serves on the Faculty of the Medical Investigation of Neurological Disorders (MIND) Institute and the Autism Research Training Program where she conducts research on a social skills training intervention for high-functioning children with ASD, incorporating parents and siblings in the research. In addition to her clinical research work, Dr. Solomon studies cognition and learning in high-functioning individuals with ASD. Read more!
New Members of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee
Geraldine Dawson, Ph.D.
As chief science officer for Autism Speaks, Dr. Dawson works with the scientific community and stakeholders to shape and expand the foundation's scientific vision. She also is a licensed clinical psychologist with a research focus on early detection and intervention, early patterns of brain dysfunction and the identification of biological markers for autism genetic studies. Dr. Dawson also serves as research professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, adjunct professor of psychiatry at Columbia University and professor emeritus of psychology at University of Washington.
Gerald D. Fischbach, M.D.
Dr. Fischbach is the scientific director for the Simons Foundation where he oversees the Autism Research Initiative. He has spent his career as a neuroscientist studying the formation and maintenance of synapses, the junctions between nerve cells which allow signals to be transmitted. Before joining the Simons Foundation, Dr. Fischbach served as the Director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke from 1998 to 2001 and as the Executive Vice President of Columbia University Medical Center and Dean of the faculties of medicine from 2001 to 2006.
Ari Ne'eman
Mr. Ari Ne'eman is the founding president of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, where he works to increase the representation of autistic people in public policy discussions. He is an adult on the autism spectrum and a leading advocate in the neurodiversity movement. Mr. Ne'eman has served on the New Jersey Adults with Autism Task Force and the New Jersey Special Education Review Commission, where he authored a minority report advocating legislative action against the use of aversives, restraint and seclusion. He is a board member of TASH, an advocacy group for people with disabilities, and is involved with the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education.
Denise D. Resnik
Denise Resnik is the co-founder and board development chair of the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC). She is the mother of an 18-year-old son with autism. Ms. Resnik serves on the Autism Speaks Family Services Committee and Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism (AFAA) Steering Committee. She participated in the 2006 NIMH Autism Matrix Review and the IACC Scientific Workshops to develop the IACC Strategic Plan and subsequent updates.
Marjorie Solomon, Ph.D.
Assistant professor of Clinical Psychiatry at the University of California, Davis Dr. Marjorie Solomon is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, Davis. She serves on the Faculty of the Medical Investigation of Neurological Disorders (MIND) Institute and the Autism Research Training Program where she conducts research on a social skills training intervention for high-functioning children with ASD, incorporating parents and siblings in the research. In addition to her clinical research work, Dr. Solomon studies cognition and learning in high-functioning individuals with ASD. Read more!
Bipartisan Group of Representatives, Senators Introduce the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act
This legislation continues the legacy of Mrs. Shriver by reauthorizing the Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act, which has supported persons with disabilities through health, education and global initiatives. This legislation also includes the Best Buddies Empowerment for People with Intellectual Disabilities Act, originally passed by the House in April 2009, to make grants to the Best Buddies organization to expand its programming. In addition, this legislation authorizes grants to support research, training and technical assistance at universities with expertise in serving people with intellectual disabilities and their families. These grants will help improve their quality of life and ensure opportunities for full participation. Mrs. Shriver, who passed away in August 2009, founded the Special Olympics and was a longtime supporter and board member of Best Buddies.
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Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Pilot Program in U.S. House of Representatives Provides Internship Opportunities to Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
A story today in the Washington DC newspaper Politico showcases a pilot program aimed at giving individuals with intellectual disabilities opportunities to experience a high profile work place: the U.S. House of Representatives. The internships are part of a pilot program created by Representative Gregg Harper (R-MO), House Administration Committee Republicans and Mason LIFE, a post-secondary program at George Mason University for adults with intellectual disabilities. The students do everything from answering constituent mail and shredding paper to learning how to give tours of the Capitol.
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Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Social Security Task Force - Commission on Fiscal Responsibility
The National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform had its first meeting on Tuesday April 27. the commission will hold monthly public meetings and invites the public to submit comments in writing. Meetings are tentatively scheduled for 9:30 am to noon the last Wednesday of May through September as well as Nov. 10 and Dec. 1 - when the commission is supposed to deliver its plan to "stabilize the soaring US debt.
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Debt Commission Convenes First Meeting
At a three-hour White House meeting on Tuesday, debt commission members began discussions to move toward meeting the goal of the commission: bring the deficit down to about 3 percent of the gross domestic product by FY 2015 and begin to slow the long-term growth in the national debt. The panel, as outlined in a February executive order, is supposed to send recommendations to Congress on December 1; however, that requires 14 of the 18 commissioners to approve the package. The panel is made up of 10 Democrats and eight Republicans. Obama selected the co-chairmen and four other members; congressional Democratic and Republican leaders picked members of Congress to serve.
Democrats are concerned that social safety net programs will be targeted for savings, Republican lawmakers and conservative groups including Americans for Tax Reform contend that tax increases should not be part of the panel’s deliberations.
“The reality is that the Congress, the administration and the American people will have to choose among making modifications to entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security, restraining federal spending on everything else, accepting higher taxes, or some combination thereof,” said Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke.
Obama and the commission’s co-chairmen — former Senator Alan Simpson, (R-WY) and Erskine Bowles, a White House chief of staff under President Bill Clinton — emphasized that every option for reducing deficits and controlling the long-term growth in debt should be considered. Obama said he would not heed calls to rule out some proposals from the outset.
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Democrats are concerned that social safety net programs will be targeted for savings, Republican lawmakers and conservative groups including Americans for Tax Reform contend that tax increases should not be part of the panel’s deliberations.
“The reality is that the Congress, the administration and the American people will have to choose among making modifications to entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security, restraining federal spending on everything else, accepting higher taxes, or some combination thereof,” said Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke.
Obama and the commission’s co-chairmen — former Senator Alan Simpson, (R-WY) and Erskine Bowles, a White House chief of staff under President Bill Clinton — emphasized that every option for reducing deficits and controlling the long-term growth in debt should be considered. Obama said he would not heed calls to rule out some proposals from the outset.
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Wednesday, April 21, 2010
FREE Members Only Health Care Reform Webinar
Health Reform. It's big... it's complex... and just what in the world happens next? Most of all, what provisions affect ANCOR members, direct support professionals, and individuals with disabilities?
Date:
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - 2:00pm - 3:15pm
In this FREE webinar, Suellen Galbraith, ANCOR's Senior Policy Advisor, will outline important facets of the health reform bill including employer responsibilities, individual mandates, and huge Medicaid changes. This webinar is intended to provide a swift explanation of the most significant provisions affecting ANCOR members and give you an opportunity to ask questions.
Do not miss this important program — it is the first in a series from ANCOR to prepare its members for the coming changes. The information you gain by attending will have far-reaching effects on how you manage your organization in light of this restructure of employer-based health insurance.
Some questions to be answered include:
* When do employer requirements become effective? And what are they?
* How will state Medicaid programs be effected and assisted in covering health care costs?
* Is there Federal assistance to encourage states to urge more Home and Community Based Long Term Services and Supports?
This is a "can't miss" webinar for all ANCOR members about the changes created by the health care bill that will impact their organization.
The free, members-only webinar takes place on April 28, 2010, 2:00 - 3:15 pm Eastern. If you are an ANCOR member and this is your first time logging in to ANCOR's new website, you will need to establish a password prior to registration.
Click here to register.
Check out ANCOR's Health Care Reform Issue Brief Series...
Download your ANCOR Health Care Reform Issue Brief!
Download your ANCOR Health Care Reform Medicaid Issue Brief!
Download your ANCOR Health Care Reform Medicaid Related Provisions Issue Brief!
Download your ANCOR Health Care Reform Long Term Services and Supports Issue Brief!
Read more!
Date:
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - 2:00pm - 3:15pm
In this FREE webinar, Suellen Galbraith, ANCOR's Senior Policy Advisor, will outline important facets of the health reform bill including employer responsibilities, individual mandates, and huge Medicaid changes. This webinar is intended to provide a swift explanation of the most significant provisions affecting ANCOR members and give you an opportunity to ask questions.
Do not miss this important program — it is the first in a series from ANCOR to prepare its members for the coming changes. The information you gain by attending will have far-reaching effects on how you manage your organization in light of this restructure of employer-based health insurance.
Some questions to be answered include:
* When do employer requirements become effective? And what are they?
* How will state Medicaid programs be effected and assisted in covering health care costs?
* Is there Federal assistance to encourage states to urge more Home and Community Based Long Term Services and Supports?
This is a "can't miss" webinar for all ANCOR members about the changes created by the health care bill that will impact their organization.
The free, members-only webinar takes place on April 28, 2010, 2:00 - 3:15 pm Eastern. If you are an ANCOR member and this is your first time logging in to ANCOR's new website, you will need to establish a password prior to registration.
Click here to register.
Check out ANCOR's Health Care Reform Issue Brief Series...
Download your ANCOR Health Care Reform Issue Brief!
Download your ANCOR Health Care Reform Medicaid Issue Brief!
Download your ANCOR Health Care Reform Medicaid Related Provisions Issue Brief!
Download your ANCOR Health Care Reform Long Term Services and Supports Issue Brief!
Read more!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
HHS Sets Up Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight Office To Oversee Health Insurance Reforms
HHS is establishing an Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight charged with developing and implementing major reforms affecting the private insurance market. The new office will design and administer the temporary high-risk pools, establish new rules on medical loss ratios and oversee the state-based health insurance exchanges.
As announced in the April 19th Federal Register, the new office will design and administer the temporary high-risk pools, establish new rules on medical loss ratios and oversee the state-based health insurance exchanges. A director has yet to be announced.
The director of the new office will report to the HHS secretary, according to an HHS Federal Register notice. Four deputy directors will head additional programs established under the new office, including: The Office of Oversight, Office of Insurance Programs, Office of Consumer Support and Office of Health Insurance Exchanges.
The Office of Oversight will be headed by a deputy director and will be responsible for implementing, monitoring compliance with and enforcing new rules governing the insurance market and medical loss ratios; performing rate reviews and issuing rate review grants to states.
The Office of Consumer Support, is to be led by a deputy director, will be responsible for collecting, compiling and maintaining comparative pricing data for the HHS Website; providing assistance to help consumers obtain the maximum benefits from the new health insurance system and establishing and issuing consumer assistance grants to states.
The Office of Insurance Programs will be tasked with administering the temporary high-risk pools and the early retiree reinsurance program.
And the Office of Health Insurance Exchanges will develop and implement policies and rules governing the state-based exchanges; establish and issue planning grants to states; and oversee the operation of the exchanges.
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As announced in the April 19th Federal Register, the new office will design and administer the temporary high-risk pools, establish new rules on medical loss ratios and oversee the state-based health insurance exchanges. A director has yet to be announced.
The director of the new office will report to the HHS secretary, according to an HHS Federal Register notice. Four deputy directors will head additional programs established under the new office, including: The Office of Oversight, Office of Insurance Programs, Office of Consumer Support and Office of Health Insurance Exchanges.
The Office of Oversight will be headed by a deputy director and will be responsible for implementing, monitoring compliance with and enforcing new rules governing the insurance market and medical loss ratios; performing rate reviews and issuing rate review grants to states.
The Office of Consumer Support, is to be led by a deputy director, will be responsible for collecting, compiling and maintaining comparative pricing data for the HHS Website; providing assistance to help consumers obtain the maximum benefits from the new health insurance system and establishing and issuing consumer assistance grants to states.
The Office of Insurance Programs will be tasked with administering the temporary high-risk pools and the early retiree reinsurance program.
And the Office of Health Insurance Exchanges will develop and implement policies and rules governing the state-based exchanges; establish and issue planning grants to states; and oversee the operation of the exchanges.
Read more!
Obama Nominates Donald Berwick To Be Next Administrator of CMS
President Obama April 19 nominated Harvard professor Donald Berwick to be the next administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a post that has been vacant since late 2006. Berwick is a clinical professor of pediatrics and health care policy at the Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health. He is also president and chief executive officer of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based not-for-profit organization that promotes the improvement of health care.
CMS has been without a permanent administrator since October 2006 when Mark McClellan left the agency. Kerry N. Weems served as acting CMS administrator from 2007 until the end of the Bush administration. Charlene Frizzera is currently the agency's acting administrator.
Berwick, whose name surfaced several months ago as a possible nominee for the post, must be approved by the Senate Finance Committee and the entire Senate before beginning his job.
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CMS has been without a permanent administrator since October 2006 when Mark McClellan left the agency. Kerry N. Weems served as acting CMS administrator from 2007 until the end of the Bush administration. Charlene Frizzera is currently the agency's acting administrator.
Berwick, whose name surfaced several months ago as a possible nominee for the post, must be approved by the Senate Finance Committee and the entire Senate before beginning his job.
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Friday, April 16, 2010
President Signs Short Term Extension Bill; Negotiations Continue on Jobs Bill with FMAP
Congress this week concluded work on the Continuing Extension Act of 2010 (HR 4851), also referred to as the “extensions bill.” House passage came Thursday evening a few hours after the Senate passed an amended version of the bill, and the president signed it shortly after that.
In addition to extending expanded unemployment benefits through the end of May, the short-term legislation would extend COBRA health insurance subsidies for the unemployed and higher payments for physicians who treat Medicare patients. It also would extend a national flood insurance program and the use of 2009 poverty guidelines for federal programs.
The short-term extension package is designed to buy time for House and Senate negotiators to reach a deal on the American Workers, State and Business Relief Act of 2010 (HR 4213), which extends the unemployment benefits through the end of the year and the temporary FMAP increase originally passed as part of the Recovery Act through June 2011. ANCOR members are encouraged to call their members of Congress and encourage them to swiftly resolve the differences in HR 4213.
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In addition to extending expanded unemployment benefits through the end of May, the short-term legislation would extend COBRA health insurance subsidies for the unemployed and higher payments for physicians who treat Medicare patients. It also would extend a national flood insurance program and the use of 2009 poverty guidelines for federal programs.
The short-term extension package is designed to buy time for House and Senate negotiators to reach a deal on the American Workers, State and Business Relief Act of 2010 (HR 4213), which extends the unemployment benefits through the end of the year and the temporary FMAP increase originally passed as part of the Recovery Act through June 2011. ANCOR members are encouraged to call their members of Congress and encourage them to swiftly resolve the differences in HR 4213.
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Florida House Proposes Managed Care for People with Developmental Disabilities
Two bills have been drafted by the Florida House Select Policy Council on Strategic & Economic Planning that will require all purchased services to people with developmental disabilities funded through Medicaid be administered by a HMO or Provider Service Network. The drafts are expected to go directly to the floor of the House for consideration. The Florida Senate is expected to consider this or another similar plan next week. Thank you to Joe Aneillo for letting ANCOR know of this development.
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Thursday, April 15, 2010
Andy Stern Announces Retirement as SEIU President
Andy Stern, president of the Service Employees International Union, officially announced his retirement on Wednesday, after 14 years at the helm of the 2.2-million member union.
While it was originally speculated that Stern would leave when his term ended in 2012, his immediate retirement puts SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger in the role of interim-president until the union’s International Executive Board votes on Stern’s successor. The SEIU constitution stipulates that the IEB must schedule an election within 30 days.
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While it was originally speculated that Stern would leave when his term ended in 2012, his immediate retirement puts SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger in the role of interim-president until the union’s International Executive Board votes on Stern’s successor. The SEIU constitution stipulates that the IEB must schedule an election within 30 days.
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Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Kansas Lawsuit Filed Against Huge Medicaid Cuts Denied
The Kansas Supreme Court last week said it lacked jurisdiction to take up a lawsuit filed on behalf of Kansans with disabilities. The action leaves open the door for litigation to be filed in a lower district court as groups representing the disabled reel from a 10 percent cut in Medicaid reimbursements.
The case stems from a 10 percent cut to funding for Medicaid reimbursements—money that Governor Parkinson (D) said he wants to see restored even as lawmakers battle a budget gap now exceeding $400 million. He called restoring the funds "critical."
The 10 percent cut, which was implemented in January, eliminates $22.7 million in state funds for Medicaid programs this year. Of that, about $6.2 million affected services for people with disabilities and mental health programs. The state-level cuts also meant the state lost significant matching federal funds, which pay about 70 percent of Medicaid costs.
The Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services has seen its waiting list for people with developmental disabilities seeking home and community-based services expand to 2,236 as of February 28. That is up from 1,397 in July 2008 and 1,655 in July 2009.
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The case stems from a 10 percent cut to funding for Medicaid reimbursements—money that Governor Parkinson (D) said he wants to see restored even as lawmakers battle a budget gap now exceeding $400 million. He called restoring the funds "critical."
The 10 percent cut, which was implemented in January, eliminates $22.7 million in state funds for Medicaid programs this year. Of that, about $6.2 million affected services for people with disabilities and mental health programs. The state-level cuts also meant the state lost significant matching federal funds, which pay about 70 percent of Medicaid costs.
The Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services has seen its waiting list for people with developmental disabilities seeking home and community-based services expand to 2,236 as of February 28. That is up from 1,397 in July 2008 and 1,655 in July 2009.
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Mississippi Health Care Association Files Suit to Stop Medicaid Cuts
The Mississippi Health Care Association, the Independent Nursing Home Association and dozens of nursing homes from across the state filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking to stop the Mississippi Division of Medicaid from making a planned $14 million cut in payments to providers.
The lawsuit filed in Hinds County Chancery Court late Thursday afternoon argues that state reserve funds can be used to shore up the Medicaid budget and the cuts are unnecessary.
The suit seeks an injunction to stop the cuts over the uncertainty of "adequate funding" for providers. The cuts are pending federal permission.
Mississippi Medicaid recently announced plans to cut $14 million in reimbursements to health care providers for services for the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends June 30, because of successive months of revenue collections below estimates. However, tax revenue collections were on target in March.
Calls by Democratic lawmakers to dip into state reserves to close the gap have been rebuked by Governor Barbour (R), who argues the state's savings needs to last for several years.
The largest chunk of money went to public education, and Medicaid was not on the restoration list. About $14 million of an $82 million budget patch-up plan approved by lawmakers, however, was provided via a stimulus-related federal government reimbursement to the Division of Medicaid.
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The lawsuit filed in Hinds County Chancery Court late Thursday afternoon argues that state reserve funds can be used to shore up the Medicaid budget and the cuts are unnecessary.
The suit seeks an injunction to stop the cuts over the uncertainty of "adequate funding" for providers. The cuts are pending federal permission.
Mississippi Medicaid recently announced plans to cut $14 million in reimbursements to health care providers for services for the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends June 30, because of successive months of revenue collections below estimates. However, tax revenue collections were on target in March.
Calls by Democratic lawmakers to dip into state reserves to close the gap have been rebuked by Governor Barbour (R), who argues the state's savings needs to last for several years.
The largest chunk of money went to public education, and Medicaid was not on the restoration list. About $14 million of an $82 million budget patch-up plan approved by lawmakers, however, was provided via a stimulus-related federal government reimbursement to the Division of Medicaid.
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Tuesday, April 13, 2010
CMS Initial Medicaid Guidance on Section 2001 of Health Care Law Establishing New Eligibility Group (April 9, 2010)
CMS released initial Medicaid guidance on Section 2001 of Health Care Law Establishing New Eligibility Group. To view the document click here.
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Friday, April 9, 2010
Arizona's CHIP Plan Spared Elimination
Arizona's Children's Health Insurance Program plan (CHIP), which was slated for elimination on June 15, will no longer be cut due to the federal health reform law that President Obama signed into law March 23. According to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, the reprieve came in the form of a maintenance-of-effort provision applicable to children's health care through 2019. It prevents states from changing eligibility requirements in such a manner that would force individuals off existing rolls.
The Legislature now must repeal the action that eliminated the KidsCare program, AHCCCS spokeswoman Monica Coury told BNA April 7. It is expected to do so before the June 15 sunset date.
But the restoration of the program means the state's budget falls out of financial balance, and now must be reconciled either by additional spending cuts or tax increases, something Arizona's legislators have been opposed to doing.
No agreement has been reached on how the fiscal hole may be patched. Arizona's budget must be balanced, under the state's constitution.
The maintenance-of-effort requirement applies to Medicaid generally and was included in the federal stimulus bill, but was scheduled to expire at the end of 2010, according to the AHCCCS website.
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The Legislature now must repeal the action that eliminated the KidsCare program, AHCCCS spokeswoman Monica Coury told BNA April 7. It is expected to do so before the June 15 sunset date.
But the restoration of the program means the state's budget falls out of financial balance, and now must be reconciled either by additional spending cuts or tax increases, something Arizona's legislators have been opposed to doing.
No agreement has been reached on how the fiscal hole may be patched. Arizona's budget must be balanced, under the state's constitution.
The maintenance-of-effort requirement applies to Medicaid generally and was included in the federal stimulus bill, but was scheduled to expire at the end of 2010, according to the AHCCCS website.
HUD Releases Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Rental Assistance for Non-Elderly Persons with Disabilities
On April 7, 2010 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the availability of $30 million in funding for approximately 4,000 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) for non-elderly disabled households. Funds unobligated under previous HUD NOFAs will also be made available as part of this NOFA, bringing the total funds available to $40 million for approximately 5,300 vouchers. Go to http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/program_offices/administration/grants/fundsavail/nednofa.pdf for a complete copy of the NOFA. Applications are due July 7, 2010.
For more information click here.
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For more information click here.
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Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Secretary Sebelius Announces Five New HHS Regional Directors
Secretary Sebelius Announces Five New HHS Regional DirectorsHHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced the appointment of five new regional directors of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
* Christie Hager, Region I - Boston (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT)
* Jaime R. Torres, Region II - New York City (NY NJ, NY, PR, VI)
* Joanne Grossi, Region III - Philadelphia (PA DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV)
* Marguerite Salazar, Region VIII - Denver (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY)
* Herb K. Schultz, Region IX - San Francisco (AZ, CA, HI, NV, Guam, PI, AS)
"I am very pleased to welcome Christie, Jaime, Joanne, Marguerite, and Herb to HHS," said Secretary Sebelius. "They will play a vital role in our department's effort to effectively implement the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead to achieve HHS's mission to protect the health of all Americans and provide essential human services."
As HHS regional directors, they will serve as key representatives of Secretary Sebelius in working with federal, state, local, and tribal officials on a wide range of health and social service issues.
Biographies:
Christie Hager, JD, MPH is currently an Adjunct Lecturer on Health Policy at the Harvard School of Public Health. Her research and teaching focus on state regulation of health care and public health, health care access, and the legislative process. From 2004-2009, she served on the staff of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, as Chief Health Counsel in the Office of the Speaker during the development, enactment and first three years of implementation of the health reform law passed in 2006. She previously served as Deputy Director of the Division of Public Health Practice at the Harvard School of Public Health. She was appointed Senior Fellow at the Schneider Institute for Health Policy at Brandeis University's Heller School, where she served as Director and Principal Investigator at the Massachusetts Health Policy Forum, from 1999-2002. She also previously worked on the editorial staff of the New England Journal of Medicine. Ms. Hager received an AB from Smith College, a MPH from the Boston University School of Public Health, and a JD from the University of Connecticut School of Law.
Jaime R. Torres, DPM, MS, is currently Associate Director of Consultative Services at Coler-Goldwater Specialty Hospital, part of New York City's Health and Hospital Corporation--the nation's largest public hospital system. He is the founder and President of Latinos for National Health Insurance, a national coalition working for equality in healthcare. He is on the Board of Directors of the National Hispanic Council on Aging and served on the Advisory Board of the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) from 2000-2006. For eight years he represented the NHMA in the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP), which is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control. As vice-chair of NDEP's Hispanic/Latino Work Group, he was instrumental in creating bilingual health campaigns for people with diabetes. In 2006, he was a spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association's campaign "Descubras sus pies" (Discover Your Feet) which educated the Latino community on how to prevent foot ailments related to diabetes. Dr. Torres received his Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine and a master's degree in Community Health from Long Island University.
For the past seven years, Joanne Grossi has served in the administration of Governor Edward G. Rendell, first as Deputy Secretary of Health and later as the first- ever Director of the Office of Women's Services. During her five-year tenure as Deputy Secretary for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at the Pennsylvania Department of Health from 2003 to 2008, Ms. Grossi oversaw all the public health programs for the Commonwealth, including tobacco cessation and prevention; obesity prevention; drug and alcohol programs; and maternal and child health programs. As Director of the Office of Women's Services at the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare from 2008 to 2010, Ms. Grossi administered statewide programs that provide assistance to women, including family planning/reproductive health; domestic violence; sexual violence; and the breast and cervical cancer treatment program.Before joining the Governor's Administration, Ms. Grossi served for 13 years as a Senior Technical Advisor in the Bureau of Global Health at the United States Agency for International Development, where she oversaw international health programs in developing countries.Earlier in her career, Ms. Grossi served on the staffs of Congressman Peter Kostmayer and Ambassador Millicent H. Fenwick at the American Embassy in Rome, Italy. Ms. Grossi earned her master's degree in International Public Policy at the Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies and completed additional graduate education at the Johns Hopkins University's School of Public Health and Hygiene. She earned her B.A. in journalism at Temple University.
Marguerite Salazar has served as President/CEO of Valley Wide Health Services, Inc. (VWHS) since 1989. VWHS is one of the largest rural Community Health Centers in the country, providing primary care to over 40,000 residents of the San Luis, Lower Arkansas and Upper Arkansas Valleys in Southern Colorado. VWHS is recognized for exceptional outcomes with prenatal care and reducing ER utilization through Convenient Care in some of the poorest areas of Colorado. Previously, Ms. Salazar directed Access Social Work Service, a firm that contracted with local public health departments, hospitals and nursing homes to provide social work services. Ms. Salazar is a Fellow in the National Hispana Leadership Institute as well as a Livingston Fellow in the Bonfil Stanton Foundation, a Trustee for the Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation and was appointed by Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. to the Board of Governors for Colorado State University. She was appointed by Governor Bill Owens to serve as a Policy Board Member for the Colorado Children's Basic Health Plan. In 1999, she was awarded the Bernie Valdez Award for Excellence in Health from the Latin American Research and Service Agency (LARASA). She holds a Master's degree in counseling psychology from Adams State College in Colorado.
Herb K. Schultz, MPP, is currently Senior Advisor to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and since January of this year, also the Director of the California Recovery Task Force. In this role, he is responsible for the oversight and implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. As Senior Advisor to the Governor from 2008-2010, he represented the Governor on major domestic policy issues, which included serving as a principal advisor on health care reform. Previously, he served as the Senior Health Policy Advisor to the Governor during California's 2006-2008 state debate on comprehensive health care reform. From 2005-2006, he served as Vice President of Government Programs for McKesson Health Solutions, where he oversaw the company's disease management and nurse advice programs for Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries. During the first year of Governor Schwarzenegger's Administration, Mr. Schultz served as Acting Director of the California Employment Development Department. He also previously served as a member of former Governor Gray Davis' Cabinet as Acting Secretary for the Labor and Workforce Development Agency. He served as the Agency's Undersecretary before his Cabinet-Level appointment, and remained in both roles until the end of the Davis Administration. Prior to that, he was Deputy Director of External Affairs for the California Department of Managed Health Care, and served as Director of the Advisory Committee on Managed Health Care. Mr. Schultz received his BA in Political Science and International Studies from The American University in Washington, DC and has a Masters Degree in Public Policy from Georgetown University, also in Washington, DC.
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* Christie Hager, Region I - Boston (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT)
* Jaime R. Torres, Region II - New York City (NY NJ, NY, PR, VI)
* Joanne Grossi, Region III - Philadelphia (PA DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV)
* Marguerite Salazar, Region VIII - Denver (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY)
* Herb K. Schultz, Region IX - San Francisco (AZ, CA, HI, NV, Guam, PI, AS)
"I am very pleased to welcome Christie, Jaime, Joanne, Marguerite, and Herb to HHS," said Secretary Sebelius. "They will play a vital role in our department's effort to effectively implement the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead to achieve HHS's mission to protect the health of all Americans and provide essential human services."
As HHS regional directors, they will serve as key representatives of Secretary Sebelius in working with federal, state, local, and tribal officials on a wide range of health and social service issues.
Biographies:
Christie Hager, JD, MPH is currently an Adjunct Lecturer on Health Policy at the Harvard School of Public Health. Her research and teaching focus on state regulation of health care and public health, health care access, and the legislative process. From 2004-2009, she served on the staff of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, as Chief Health Counsel in the Office of the Speaker during the development, enactment and first three years of implementation of the health reform law passed in 2006. She previously served as Deputy Director of the Division of Public Health Practice at the Harvard School of Public Health. She was appointed Senior Fellow at the Schneider Institute for Health Policy at Brandeis University's Heller School, where she served as Director and Principal Investigator at the Massachusetts Health Policy Forum, from 1999-2002. She also previously worked on the editorial staff of the New England Journal of Medicine. Ms. Hager received an AB from Smith College, a MPH from the Boston University School of Public Health, and a JD from the University of Connecticut School of Law.
Jaime R. Torres, DPM, MS, is currently Associate Director of Consultative Services at Coler-Goldwater Specialty Hospital, part of New York City's Health and Hospital Corporation--the nation's largest public hospital system. He is the founder and President of Latinos for National Health Insurance, a national coalition working for equality in healthcare. He is on the Board of Directors of the National Hispanic Council on Aging and served on the Advisory Board of the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) from 2000-2006. For eight years he represented the NHMA in the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP), which is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control. As vice-chair of NDEP's Hispanic/Latino Work Group, he was instrumental in creating bilingual health campaigns for people with diabetes. In 2006, he was a spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association's campaign "Descubras sus pies" (Discover Your Feet) which educated the Latino community on how to prevent foot ailments related to diabetes. Dr. Torres received his Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine and a master's degree in Community Health from Long Island University.
For the past seven years, Joanne Grossi has served in the administration of Governor Edward G. Rendell, first as Deputy Secretary of Health and later as the first- ever Director of the Office of Women's Services. During her five-year tenure as Deputy Secretary for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at the Pennsylvania Department of Health from 2003 to 2008, Ms. Grossi oversaw all the public health programs for the Commonwealth, including tobacco cessation and prevention; obesity prevention; drug and alcohol programs; and maternal and child health programs. As Director of the Office of Women's Services at the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare from 2008 to 2010, Ms. Grossi administered statewide programs that provide assistance to women, including family planning/reproductive health; domestic violence; sexual violence; and the breast and cervical cancer treatment program.Before joining the Governor's Administration, Ms. Grossi served for 13 years as a Senior Technical Advisor in the Bureau of Global Health at the United States Agency for International Development, where she oversaw international health programs in developing countries.Earlier in her career, Ms. Grossi served on the staffs of Congressman Peter Kostmayer and Ambassador Millicent H. Fenwick at the American Embassy in Rome, Italy. Ms. Grossi earned her master's degree in International Public Policy at the Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies and completed additional graduate education at the Johns Hopkins University's School of Public Health and Hygiene. She earned her B.A. in journalism at Temple University.
Marguerite Salazar has served as President/CEO of Valley Wide Health Services, Inc. (VWHS) since 1989. VWHS is one of the largest rural Community Health Centers in the country, providing primary care to over 40,000 residents of the San Luis, Lower Arkansas and Upper Arkansas Valleys in Southern Colorado. VWHS is recognized for exceptional outcomes with prenatal care and reducing ER utilization through Convenient Care in some of the poorest areas of Colorado. Previously, Ms. Salazar directed Access Social Work Service, a firm that contracted with local public health departments, hospitals and nursing homes to provide social work services. Ms. Salazar is a Fellow in the National Hispana Leadership Institute as well as a Livingston Fellow in the Bonfil Stanton Foundation, a Trustee for the Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation and was appointed by Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. to the Board of Governors for Colorado State University. She was appointed by Governor Bill Owens to serve as a Policy Board Member for the Colorado Children's Basic Health Plan. In 1999, she was awarded the Bernie Valdez Award for Excellence in Health from the Latin American Research and Service Agency (LARASA). She holds a Master's degree in counseling psychology from Adams State College in Colorado.
Herb K. Schultz, MPP, is currently Senior Advisor to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and since January of this year, also the Director of the California Recovery Task Force. In this role, he is responsible for the oversight and implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. As Senior Advisor to the Governor from 2008-2010, he represented the Governor on major domestic policy issues, which included serving as a principal advisor on health care reform. Previously, he served as the Senior Health Policy Advisor to the Governor during California's 2006-2008 state debate on comprehensive health care reform. From 2005-2006, he served as Vice President of Government Programs for McKesson Health Solutions, where he oversaw the company's disease management and nurse advice programs for Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries. During the first year of Governor Schwarzenegger's Administration, Mr. Schultz served as Acting Director of the California Employment Development Department. He also previously served as a member of former Governor Gray Davis' Cabinet as Acting Secretary for the Labor and Workforce Development Agency. He served as the Agency's Undersecretary before his Cabinet-Level appointment, and remained in both roles until the end of the Davis Administration. Prior to that, he was Deputy Director of External Affairs for the California Department of Managed Health Care, and served as Director of the Advisory Committee on Managed Health Care. Mr. Schultz received his BA in Political Science and International Studies from The American University in Washington, DC and has a Masters Degree in Public Policy from Georgetown University, also in Washington, DC.
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Tuesday, March 30, 2010
HHS Community Living Initiative Upcoming Stakeholder Dialogues
As part of The Community Living Initiative, HHS is holding dialogues with State and local officials as well as other critical stakeholders with diverse opinions on issues related to community living. These dialogues will help your public officials develop and/or refine their policies and practices to better meet the needs of people with disabilities and older adults, and provide information useful to achieving the goals of the Initiative to improve community living options.
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Friday, March 26, 2010
Congress Enters Spring Recess
Congress begins their district work period on March 29 and it will run through April 9. Use this opportunity to meet in person with your members of Congress. Meeting with them in their local, district offices or having them visit your organization is the most effective way to educate your Members and their staff on issues important to you. While health care reform has passed the jobs bill with the FMAP extension is still up for debate. Also use this opportunity to ask for co-sponsors for the Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act of 2009 (H.R. 868).
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