December 13, 2005
CMS (the federal government) has denied the CDCS Exceptions Language Amendment submitted to them on September 29. This amendment was passed during the 2005 legislative session in an attempt to preserve CDCS county-set budgets and adults activity fees for as many families as possible.
There are still discussions going on between the Minnesota Dept. of Human Services and CMS to include fees or membership dues for adults for health clubs or fitness centers.
Current families utilizing CDCS, whose new budget will not meet their needs, will need to continue to review other options available under the waiver. Families currently involved in CDCS appeals should be in contact with their Arc advocate. If you have any questions, please call an Arc advocate.
We are very disappointed that the federal government rejected this amendment and the relief that it could have provided for some families on CDCS. The amendment was the result of a great deal of hard work by so many people. Our support continues to go out to those individuals and families who have utilized CDCS to effectively meet your family’s needs and who will now need to look at the available alternatives. Rest assured, The Arc will continue to advocate for consumer-directed, consumer-controlled service options.
ACTION NEEDED ASAP: ASK CONGRESS TO REJECT ANY RECONCILAITION PLAN WITH MEDICAID CUTS – RECONCILIATION VOTE IMMINENT!
Click on the following link, or cut and paste it in your web browser:
http://capwiz.com/thearc/issues/alert/?alertid=8289796&type=CO
From The Arc of the U.S. and United Cerebral Palsy’s Disability Policy Collaboration: Members of the Senate returned on Monday from their Thanksgiving holiday recess, conferees to the House-Senate Budget Reconciliation conference committee are expected to be appointed and begin work this week. Negotiations, however, between the House and Senate staff have been ongoing, and the outcome of these negotiations are vital to people with disabilities, since Medicaid and other critical programs are on the table. Here is what is expected to happen:
This week, conferees need to resolve the major differences between the House bill (S50 billion) and the Senate bill ($35 billion). Both bills make large cuts to low-income human services programs as well as include other cost cutting and revenue raising provisions.
Conferees will attempt to compromise over reductions to Medicaid, Medicare, Food Stamps, and other vital human service entitlements while deciding on drilling for oil in Alaska’s Artic National Wildlife Refuge. Included in this effort is TANF reauthorization (in the House bill) with provisions that would make it more difficult for people with disabilities to leave this program. Another hurricane relief package could be added to sweeten the deal and secure a few more votes. House Republicans hope to cut entitlement spending by $45 billion. Should a conference agreement be reached, its passage would likely hinge on just a few votes in both houses.
The Minnesota Disability Law Center (MDLC) and Citizens for Election Integrity Minnesota will host a mock election on Thursday, December 15, 2005 from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the State Office Building, 100 Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in St. Paul. The mock election will be used to demonstrate a new accessible voting device called the Vote Pad. The pad is a non-electronic paper assistive device that allows the voter to mark directly on the ballot. Your participation in this election and your comments on this device will help county officials and the Secretary of State to determine if this equipment will be useful for future elections for people with disabilities. For more information or any questions, contact Mai Thor, at mthor@midmnlegal.org.