Public Policy
Public Policy Update June 15, 2011
The Arc of Minnesota
Public Policy Update
September 30, 2009
From Steve Larson, Public Policy Director
Personal Care Assistance (PCA) Changes
During the 2009 Legislative Session, changes were made in the Personal Care Assistance (PCA) program that supports individuals with disabilities to live independently in the community. Those changes will be gradually implemented in the next year.Federal Health Care Reform
The process of debating and creating health care reform legislation will be lengthy, and we need your continued advocacy throughout this entire process. Many groups are clamoring for the attention of our Members of Congress, and we can’t let the concerns of people with disabilities get lost in this crucial debate. Addressing the medical and long-term needs of people with disabilities must be part of any health care reform that is approved.Don't Miss the Chance to Speak With Your State Legislators
Arc Kandiyohi is hosting a Town Hall Forum on Thursday, December 17th from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Willmar Community Center (formerly Senior Center). Local legislators and county commissioners have been invited to attend. There will be an overview by Steve Larson, Arc Minnesota. Individuals and their family members will have time to share their stories with the legislators. There will also be testimonials by other advocates and providers. We will end with a legislative response time and a discussion time with questions and answers.Statewide Committees
Members of The Arc are serving on several statewide planning committees. Here is a brief summary of a few of those efforts:- Legislative Autism Task Force - The Arc of Minnesota President Jean Bender is The Arc representative on this task force. Its charge is developing a report on the status of services for individuals with autism and to propose plans to meet those individuals' needs.
- Rate Setting Methodologies - Tim Nelson, The Arc of Minnesota Vice President, is The Arc representative on this task force, which will develop a plan to bring Minnesota's waiver programs into compliance with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) goals for managing these programs statewide.
- Monitoring Technology - Meredith Salmi, Public Policy Advocate from Arc Greater Twin Cities, serves on this committee. Its mission is to break down the barriers to using technology that will create more independence for persons with disabilities and to promote the greater use of technology.
- Expert Panel (HCBS Advisory Committee) - This panel's charge is to identify and discuss strategies to simplify and improve Minnesota's Home and Community Based Service system. Steve Larson will represent The Arc on this committee.
- Essential Benefit Set (EBS) - Minnesota's 2008 Health Care Reform Act called for the convening of an EBS committee to establish a minimum benefit set that private health insurance plans are required to provide. This will have a great impact on Minnesotans with disabilities, many of whom have to access Medical Assistance and other public programs because their health plans do not cover needed services. Steve Larson is The Arc's representative.
Health Care Reform/Long Term Services and Supports
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced S. 3829, a bill to repeal the CLASS Act, on September 23. Senators Chambliss (R- GA), Coburn (R-OK), Cornyn (R-TX), and McCain (R-AZ) joined as co-sponsors of the bill. The CLASS Act, which became law as part of the Affordable Care Act, creates a new nationwide long term insurance program that will assist people in meeting their long term service needs while avoiding the impoverishment necessary to receive Medicaid benefits. The Arc and UCP strongly supported passage of the CLASS Act and will oppose its repeal.
Medicaid FMAP
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has reported that all states have requested their share of the $16.1 billion in additional Medicaid federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP). State governors and the District of Columbia had until the September 24th to request the funds provided through the Teacher Jobs and State Fiscal Relief Act of 2010. Given the economic situation in the states, requests for the funds came from both Republican and Democratic Governors.
Medicaid/CHIp
The new Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Payment and Access Commission, known as MACPAC, held its first meeting last week. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires them to look at a number of topics affecting access to covered services including payment policies, eligibility, enrollment and retention policies, coverage policies and quality of care. The MACPAC is expected to research and make recommendations about access to Medicaid and CHIP. The panel is expected to meet frequently to review the data and experience of what is happening in the states and submit is finding to Congress. The first report is due March 15, 2011. Transcripts of meetings will be posted at the commission’s new web site:
www.macpac.gov
Terminology
The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed Rosa’s Law (S. 2781). The bill substitutes the term “intellectual disabilities� for “mental retardation� in many federal laws. The bill is identical to the bill passed by the Senate earlier this year. President Obama will sign the bill into law soon. The terminology change does not affect eligibility or services available under the laws where the terminology is changed. This bill is a huge victory for self advocates and their families who have fought for years to remove the term “mental retardation�. Entitlement laws, such as Medicaid and Social Security, will be the next target for similar changes in the next Congress.
Research/Autism
The House of Representatives passed HR 5756, The Training and Research for Autism Improvements Nationwide Act, which would amend Title I of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance Act and Bill of Rights Act (The DD Act) and expand assistance to children and adults with autism. The bill would authorize $17 million annually for four-year grants to University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) to provide training and services. It also would provide grants for up to four new UCEDDs that collaborate with minority institutions to provide services and conduct research focused on racial and ethnic minority populations. The bill was referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee for consideration.
Technology
The Senate passed S.3304, the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010, which will increase access to the internet and telecommunications for people with disabilities. The bill is scheduled to be voted on by the House this week. Advocates are optimistic that the bill will pass and go to the President for his signature. The bill is the culmination of several years’ of advocacy by a coalition of organizations including The Arc and UCP.
Education
DPC Staff Director Paul Marchand and a small group of special education advocates met with Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan and several of his senior staff to discuss changes to education policy in the next Congress. A plan is under development to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act next year. During that process, some key components of IDEA could be linked to the ESEA reauthorization. Issues such as assessments, teacher preparation, positive behavior interventions, universal design for learning, response to intervention and family engagement were mentioned. Participants also shared ideas and concerns such as implementation and enforcement, teacher qualifications, the state’s concerns over Part C Early Intervention funding, and the melding of general and special education into a single system.
Voting
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission awarded a $500,000 grant to the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation to make recommendations to eliminate barriers to accessible voting by military service members who have disabilities. Although this grant targets members of the military who have disabilities, it will benefit civilian voters with disabilities as well. For additional information, see: http://www.eac.gov
Major Events Ahead
U.S. Congress
This week may well be the last week this Congress is in session prior to the November 2 election. Depending on the election results, there may be a couple of two week lame duck sessions, one before Thanksgiving and one in early December. What gets on the agenda will also depend on the election results.
FY 2011 Appropriations
This Friday is the first day of Fiscal Year 2011. Since no FY 2011 appropriations bills have become law, the Congress will have to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep all federal programs funded when the new fiscal year begins. Some Democrats are expected to try to add a few additional provisions to the CR. All Republicans are voicing strong opposition to any add-ons to the CR.
