Parents and Service Providers Hold Meeting

(Independentmessage) Reporting

12/16/08

This Evening as Parents and Developmental Therapy Service Provider Access Behavioral Health Service are holding a meeting. Some of the Highlighted concerns for the evening will be Highlighted as The Hold backs of the Idaho State Medicaid Budget continues. There as a brief film on how the, “Budgetary Hold backs” Will affect those who rely on the services to remain independent in the community.

According to Kathie Garrett lobbyist for the IADDA (Idaho Association of Developmental Disability Agencies). The holdbacks are supposed to be up to 6% across the board of The State of Idaho’s budget. This will include Medicaid Expenditures with Public Schools receiving less of the blunt impact due to the use of Idaho’s Rainy day fund.

The Hours for Rehabilitative Service known as Developmental Therapy or DDA for short

The Agenda of this meeting will hae been

Medicaid Release 2008-22

Why the reduction of hours?

When does this start

Is this Permanent?

How is this affecting your services?

How is this affecting your staff?

What is Access doing about MR 2008-22?

What can Families do to help retain their services?

How the EPSDT process can help your child maintain your child’s services.

Are we in this alone?

According to Kelly Buckland Executive Director of The Idaho State Independent Living Council. a rally will be held at the Statehouse in Boise on the 15th of January at 1:30, with the march being held at 1:00 at the same day. According to Evangeline Beecher the Medicaid Holdbacks will only be 1%. Which Translates to 27% cut from the Medicaid budget. The main concern according to Evangeline Beecher is the ability to keep staff employed and working with clients.

For a background of wages paid to care staff in comparison to Department of Health and Welfare employees. 1.9% increase was the last increase while in 2009 The Department of Health and Welfare in 2009 are expected to be increased by 3.0% Source: (Idaho Association of Developmental Disability Agencies Legislative Handbook). EPSDT is the loophole that allows Participants of the Devlopmental Therapy get a, “Medically necessary”. exemption to the budget cut rule. Advocates are expected to appeal to the state Health and Welfare, as well as The Joint Finance Appropriations committee.

Federal Government cuts begin through the Centers For Medicaid Medicare Services in January with an investigation  by The House Govenment Oversight and Reform committee since CMS did the cuts without approval from congress. Henry Waxman Congressman had requested information from the Medicaid Administrators from all 50 states as to the effects on beneficiaries.

Editors Note: The Reporter/blogger will be in that particular film

Sources:

IADDA Legislative handbook

Letters found on the web from Idaho Medicaid Administrator to House Governmental Oversight and Reform Committees

Report by House Governmental oversight and reform committee (Also found on the web)

Developmental Disability Budgetf rom 2009 Budget of Idaho also found on the web.

EPSDT guide letter from Department of Health and Welfare

Conference Broucher that contains the date of the rally

People quoted in the post/ article

Kathie Garrett

Evangeline Beecher

Kelly Buckland

Media files  in the sites media section indictates documentation on the issue