2012 Legislative Platform

Restore funding within the DD Medicaid Home and Community Based Services Waiver to $865 million compared to the current appropriation of $810 million to sustain the health and safety needs of approximately 30,000 individuals, and to serve others from the wait list as resources allow.

TALKING POINTS

Funding for DD Medicaid Waiver services is at $810.4 million and is only slightly higher than in FY 05-06 which was at $798 million. Individuals on the waiver are receiving fewer services while only limited numbers of new enrollment are being added.
The Governor’s Recommended Budget reduces the DD Waiver funding to $772 million annually with the caveat that another $23 million could be earned for “restructuring” if certain cuts occur.
The funding problem goes back to a decision made five or six years ago to add more people to the program but the cost was never fully funded. The program simply is not funded adequately and cannot tolerate more cuts.

Maintain funding levels for the Intermediate Care Facilities for the Disabled (ICF/DD) program, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program, including Adults with Disabilities Fund, and Early Steps (Part C) programs so individuals with disabilities can reach their potential.

TALKING POINTS

Services offered to individuals with disabilities through these programs are vital to each service recipient.
Each of these program areas received funding reductions over the last few years.
In order to maintain quality service offerings through these programs, funding must be maintained at current levels.

TALKING POINTS

Funding for DD Medicaid Waiver services is at $810.4 million and is only slightly higher than in FY 05-06 which was at $798 million. Individuals on the waiver are receiving fewer services while only limited numbers of new enrollment are being added.
The Governor’s Recommended Budget reduces the DD Waiver funding to $772 million annually with the caveat that another $23 million could be earned for “restructuring” if certain cuts occur.
The funding problem goes back to a decision made five or six years ago to add more people to the program but the cost was never fully funded. The program simply is not funded adequately and cannot tolerate more cuts.

TALKING POINTS

Services offered to individuals with disabilities through these programs are vital to each service recipient.
Each of these program areas received funding reductions over the last few years.
In order to maintain quality service offerings through these programs, funding must be maintained at current levels.

Eliminate overly burdensome government regulations to ensure common sense and accountability in state regulations that govern programs serving individuals with disabilities.

TALKING POINTS

Over the last eight years, providers have received service rate reductions, totaling more than a 25% cut while standards have increased and some services have been eliminated.
Burdensome government regulations should be eliminated and common sense and accountability should govern programs serving individuals with disabilities.

Support only systems changes that meet the overall needs of individuals with developmental disabilities including continuation of meaningful day activity services.

TALKING POINTS

Implementation of the “IBudget” algorithm is problematic. While the system contains many positive features, it should not be used to force massive service cuts that are occurring because of funding reductions.
The waiver should be funded adequately before proceeding with implementation of the “IBudget”. If applied today, the “IBudget” would reduce services for two-thirds of the individuals served.
Within the DD Waiver program, one individual’s primary need may be adult day training while someone else’s may be another service. Having the state designate certain services as “critical” or “core” forces a one-size fits all mentality and may actually force individuals to seek more expensive care. For example, an individual may only need adult day training services so family members can work during the day, but this service has not been classified as a critical/core service. If the day service is not available, the DD Waiver client may have to turn to residential care which is much more costly.
Recipients of waiver services and their families should be able to choose the services that are important to them without interference from the government.