The most recent question of the week focused on whether anyone who receives long-term care services should be allowed to self-direct their own supports, even if they need assistance to do so. The responses were overwhelming - 100% of the people who responded (13) said yes! I guess that settles that question....

The following information about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was sent out by the US Dept of Health and Human Services (HHS)Intergovernmental and External Affairs:

Update from HHS on Anniversary Week:

We here in HHS Intergovernmental and External Affairs have some new updates and resources to share with you as you and your organization prepare for the week-long celebration of the ACA 2nd Anniversary.

ACA State-by-State Numbers

Two years after the passage of the ACA, it has continued to provide thousands of Americans with insurance protections, preventive benefits, and resources to improve care. For more information on the benefits of the law in a particular state, please go to http://www.healthcare.gov/law/resources/index.html.

ACA PowerPoints

We have recently posted educational PowerPoints about the ACA online. Please go tohttp://www.hhs.gov/intergovernmental/acaresources/ to find these PowerPoints. There are both PowerPoint versions which include a presentation guide in the notes section as well as a PDF version. The PDF version does not yet include the presentation guide but that information will be coming shortly, please check back in the next few days if you need it.

ACA Fact Sheets on Healthcare.gov

We also have a ton of fact sheets onhealthcare.gov that will be helpful to you. I have attached some of the key links below. Here is the link to the general brochure/fact sheet page http://www.healthcare.gov/news/brochures/index.html.

The Top Five Things You Need to Know

• Families with Children (PDF English 7.27 MB,Spanish 1.23 MB)
• Health Care Providers (PDF English 2.71 MB,Spanish 517 KB)
• People with Disabilities (PDF English 2.56 MB,Spanish 931 KB)
• Seniors (PDF English 11.3 MB,Spanish 1.54 MB)
• Small Business Owners (PDF English 4.22 MB,Spanish 646 KB)
• Young Adults (PDF English 6.56 MB,Spanish 919 KB)

Information for Consumers and Small Businesses

• The Health Care Law & You (PDF English 8.99 MB)
• Information for Small Businesses (PDF English 763 KB)

My Care

My Care (#MyCare) is a new initiative we launched today to educate Americans about different parts of the Affordable Care Act through stories from real people. Each day next week (March 19-23) we will be releasing a new video about a different provision of the law, and what it meant for a person or family. Check it out: www.healthcare.gov/mycare

Public Comments on Personal Care Provider Travel Rate Cuts - Due 3/30/12

Agencies providing Medicaid personal care services receive reimbursement for the time it takes direct service workers to travel to peoples homes.

The Department of Health Services (DHS) plans to reduce the reimbursement for travel on April 1, 2012. The reduction in travel reimbursement rates could impact people receiving services because some agencies anticipate that they will have to stop serving some people.

DHS plans to implement the following:

• Pay urban providers half the current rate.
• Cap urban providers at 2 hours of travel time per consumer per day.
• Cap rural providers at 3 hours of travel time per consumer per day. The first two hours would be paid the full rate. The last hour would be paid half rate.
• Rural providers who travel less than 3 hours per person per day would be reimbursed the full rate.

DHS may consider changing their plans based on comments they receive by March 30th. DHS seeks input from individuals receiving personal care services about the impacts of the proposal travel reimbursement cuts. Comments can be submitted to the DHS Secretary at DennisG.Smith@dhs.wisconsin.gov andElizabeth.Scudder@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

Thanks to DAWN,an initiative of the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD), for sharing this information.

See below for more details from the public notice sent out by DHS.

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*Changes to Personal Care Worker Travel Time Reimbursement Rates *

The State of Wisconsin reimburses providers for services provided toMedical Assistance recipients under the authority of Title XIX of theSocial Security Act and ss. 49.43to49.47WisconsinStatutes. This program, administered by the State's Department of HealthServices, is called Medical Assistance (MA) or Medicaid. In addition,Wisconsin has expanded this program to create the BadgerCare andBadgerCare Plus programs under the authority of Title XIX and Title XXIof the Social Security Act and ss.49.471,49.665, and49.67of theWisconsin Statutes. Federal statutes and regulations require that astate plan be developed that provides the methods and standards forreimbursement of covered services. A plan that describes thereimbursement system for the services (methods and standards forreimbursement) is now in effect.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is proposing to implement ahealthcare efficiency project related to personal care reimbursement.This project will not require that the Medicaid state plan be amended,but it will affect provider reimbursement rates. Changes to providerreimbursement rates will be reflected on the maximum allowable feeschedules, available online through the ForwardHealth Portal at:

https://www.forwardhealth.wi.gov/WIPortal/Max%20Fee%20Home/tabid/77/Default.aspx

The project would reduce the separate reimbursement rate paid topersonal care agencies for personal care worker travel time. For travelto recipients who do not reside in "rural" counties, the adjustedreimbursement rate for separate reimbursement of personal care workertravel will be at 50% of the personal care service rate. Thereimbursement rate for personal care services will not change.

*Proposed Change *

The proposed changes are to adjust reimbursement for personal careworker travel when reimbursed in addition to reimbursement for thepersonal care services. This change is projected to result in savings of$1.713 million all funds (AF) in the remaining quarter of federal fiscalyear 2012 (April 1, 2012 through June 30, 2012), composed of $676,000general purpose revenue (GPR) and $1.037 million federal match (FED). Infederal fiscal year 2013, the savings are projected to be $6.850 millionAF, composed of $2.758 GPR and $4.092 FED. The effective date of theproposal will be April 1, 2012.

*Copies of the Proposed Change: *

A copy of the proposed change may be obtained free of charge by callingor writing as follows:

*_Regular Mail_*

Elizabeth Scudder

Bureau of Benefits Management

Division of Health Care Access and Accountability

P.O. Box 309

Madison, WI 53701-0309

*_Phone

Elizabeth Scudder

(608) 267-9697

*FAX

(608) 266-1096

Attention: Elizabeth Scudder

*E-Mail

elizabeth.scudder@wisconsin.gov

A copy of the proposed change is available for review at the main officeof any county department of social services or human services.

*Written Comments: *

Written comments are welcome. Written comments on the proposed changesmay be sent by FAX, e-mail, or regular mail to the Department. The FAXnumber is (608) 266-1096. The e-mail address iselizabeth.scudder@wiconsin.govRegular mail can be sent tothe above address. All written comments will be reviewed and considered.

The written comments will be available for public review between thehours of 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. daily in Room 350 of the State OfficeBuilding, 1 West Wilson Street, Madison, Wisconsin. Revisions may bemade in the proposed changed methodology based comments received.

The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation

Public Policy Fellowship Program 2012-2013

The application deadline for the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation Public Policy Fellowship Program is extended to April 30, 2012.

The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation is seeking exemplary professionals and/or family members of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are currently working or volunteering in the field of inclusive services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for an intensive one-year Public Policy Fellowship in Washington, D.C. The purpose of the Fellowship is to prepare both early career and more seasoned leaders to assume leadership in the public policy arena in their home state and/or nationally. During this one year Fellowship, the successful applicant will learn how federal legislation is initiated, developed, and passed by the Congress, as well as how programs are administered and regulations promulgated by federal agencies.

The sole method of application, letters and rsum submission is via an online system that can be found at http://www.aucd.org/app/jpkffellowship2012

Updated 3/15/12 - Thanks again to DAWN for this timely update!

Bills on to the Governor

When dedicated advocates like you work hard, change happens! Three bills about issues extremely important to the disability community passed both the Assembly and Senate. These bills will be sent to Governor Walker for his signature:

Lifting the caps on enrollment to the Family Care, IRIS, PACE, and Partnership programs. The bills that passed included an amendment that gave the Joint Finance Committee more oversight about expanding the programs to counties that dont yet have them. Only Representatives Vos, Kooyenga, Kapenga, Severson and Craig in the Assembly voted against lifting the caps. The bill numbers are AB 477 and SB 380.

Replacing the R-word with intellectual disabilities so that well have people first language in state statutes. The bill numbers are AB 471 and SB 377.

Restricting the use of seclusion and restraint on students in schools. The bill numbers are AB 455 and SB 353.

Governor Scott Walker has to act to make these bills law. He can be contacted at 608-266-1212, by e-mail or by letter at the State Capitol, P.O. Box 7863, Madison 53707.

It appears that the Special Needs School Voucher bill has been defeated, thanks to the work of all you advocates. Good work on all these bills!

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3/5/12

The Family Care, Seclusion and Restraint, People First, and School Voucher Bills will all be voted on by the Assembly on Tuesday (March 6). All four of these bills could impact people with disabilities in Wisconsin. Contact your Assembly Representativeif these bills are important to you!

Family Care/IRIS Caps and Expansion (AB 477): This bill would lift the caps and expand the programs statewide. The Assembly will vote on an amended version that gives the Joint Finance Committee the authority to decide whether the 15 counties that dont have Family Care/IRIS can start these programs.

Recommendation from disability advocates: Pass the bill without amendment to lift the caps and ensure people in the counties without these programs can access them.

Seclusion and Restraint in Schools (AB 455): This bill would limit the use of seclusion and restraint in schools to situations when the students or others safety is at risk and it is the last resort. If the Assembly passes AB 455, children will be safer and parents will be informed when these practices are used.

Recommendation from disability advocates: Pass AB 455 so it can become law.

People First Language in State Law (AB 471): This bill replaces the R-word in state law like Rosas Law did on the federal level. If the Assembly passes AB 471, state law will use people-first language and the term intellectual disabilities instead of the R-word.

Recommendation from disability advocates: Pass AB 471 so people-first language is used in Wisconsin law.

Special Needs Vouchers (AB 110): This bill is intended to allow parents of students with disabilities to use vouchers to attend private schools. The bill takes funding out of public schools, resulting in less money for the vast majority of students with disabilities who remain in public schools. Schools are not required to have special education or related service staff available and do not have to develop new IEPs each year. If the Assembly passes AB 110, it could harm parents and students with disabilities.

Recommendation from disability advocates: Oppose AB 110.

You have until Tuesday to contact your Assembly Representativeand advocate for or against these important bills.

Thank you for participating in the legislative process and making Wisconsin a better place for people with disabilities!

Thanks toDAWN (Disability Advocates: Wisconsin Network), an initiative of the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD), for these very timely and comprehensive updates.

3/8/12

The state Assembly postponed a vote yesterday on the bills lifting the Family Care/IRIS caps until Tuesday, March 13. Next week is the final week the Assembly and Senate will be in session for the rest of the entire year. If these bills dont pass next week, the caps will remain in place until at least 2013.

Since both Assembly Bill 477 and Senate Bill 380 were amended by the Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care, both houses must pass the bills by next week.

Please call your state representative and state senator and urge them to pass the bills. Use the AARP toll-free number (1-800-844-2847) to make your calls.

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2/22/12

The Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care will hold a hearing on Assembly Bill (AB) 477 on Thursday, Feb. 23. AB 477 will lift the caps on enrollment in Family Care and IRIS and expand the programs statewide. If the bill does not pass the Committee, it will die until January 2013. This may be Wisconsins last chance to end waiting lists for many years!

The hearing will be held this Thursday at 10:00 am in 417 North of the State Capitol. Please take action and help to get this bill passed!

How you can help:

Come to the hearing and testify.

Come to the hearing and submit written testimony.

E-mail testimony or messages to Rep. Dan Knodl, Committee Chair, at Rep.Knodl@legis.wisconsin.gov.

Contact all of the Committee members.

This is your chance to tell your story. You can share why:

Long-term care services are important to you or somebody you care about.

You need long-term care services so you can work and volunteer in your community.

Your family needs long-term care services for a member of your family so you can work and contribute to your community.

It is unfair that people living in 15 counties do not have access to Family Care and IRIS.

Individuals who want additional information or help with their testimonythe day of thehearingcan come to the office of the Board for People with Developmental Disabilities starting at 9:00 am. The office is located at 201 W. Washington, Suite 110, Madison.

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2/16/12 update:The bills to lift the caps on Family Care/IRIS and to remove the R-word from state law pass the Senate with great bi-partisan support!

Please share this great news AND thank your Senator! We still have work to do getting these bills passed in the Assembly but the victory here is to be savored!!

Senate Action yesterday - 2/14/12

• SB-377Disabilities (Galloway) Changes terminology for those with an intellectual disability. Passed, voice vote.
• SB-380. Family Care (Moulton) Removes the cap on enrollment of Family Care and other long-term care programs. Passed, 33-0.

The State Assembly still has to act on both bills. Assembly Bill (AB) 477, the bill to lift the caps and expand the Family Care and IRIS programs statewide, still needs a hearing before the Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee. AB 471, the bill to eliminate the R-word, has passed the Health Committee but still needs to be voted upon by the full Assembly.

You can still get involved...

If you want these bills to become law, contact your Assembly representativeand ask him or her to work to get these bills passed!

You can use a toll-free number from AARP to call your representative. The number is1-800-844-2847

Thanks to Rick Hall, Wisconsin APSE, and DAWN for sharing this information.

To find out the latest news about the Family Care/IRIS caps and the bill to remove the R-word, go to the DAWN website. DAWN (Disability Advocates: Wisconsin Network) is an initiative of the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD).

TheWisconsin Senate Health Committeevoted 5-0 to passSenate Bill (SB) 380. The bill lifts the caps on Family Care, IRIS, Partnership, and PACE and rolls out the programs statewide. Many phone calls, e-mails, and visits to Committee members and other Senators helped make this vote happen. This is a major step towards ending waiting lists for long-term supports in Wisconsin.

But more work is needed. SB 380 still needs to pass the full Senate. Also, the Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee has not scheduled a hearing on the Assembly version of the bill,Assembly Bill (AB) 477.

If these bills dont pass, the caps will stay in place and people with disabilities wont have access to the services they need.Here are some actions you can take to lift the caps, expand the programs statewide, and end waiting lists:

• Contactyour own Representativeand ask him or her to contact Rep. Dan Knodl, chair of the Aging and Long-Term Care Committee, and request a hearing on AB 477. A hearing is needed as soon as possible.
• ContactRep. Knodland the other members of theAssembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee. Tell their staff why you want a hearing on AB 477 to lift the caps and end wait lists.

Time is running out. These bills both die if they are not voted on by March 15. Thank you for your advocacy!

Thank you toDAWN (Disability Advocates: Wisconsin Network), an initiative of the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD), for this information.

LIFT THE CAPS CALL-IN DAYS! FEB 7, 8, 9

Help us create a Disability Drumbeat!

The Bills to Lift the Caps on Long-Term Care programs are in DANGER.

Wouldnt it be great if we blasted the Capitol in Madison with calls from people with disabilities, families and disability advocates all at the same time asking them to provide the supports people need in Wisconsin??? Then no one could ignore our call to lift the caps on Family Care, IRIS, PACE and Partnership and expand these important long-term supports to EVERYONE in Wisconsin who needs them!

If you have called before, call again! If you havent called, NOW IS THE TIME! It is easy!!!Lets Create a Drumbeat for People with Disabilities in Wisconsin!

Our friends at AARP are letting us use their simple legislative hotline. When you call this number, you will be greeted by AARP and then asked to type in your zip code. (The call is not recorded or used in any other manner.) The phone service will then dial your representative or senator and connect you directly with that office!

Call the AARP Legislative Hotline ANYTIME FROM FEB. 7,8,9: 1-800-844-2847

(You do not have to use this hotline, you can always call your rep directly on your own)

Why is this important?

The bills in the Capitol right now to lift the caps on Family Care/IRIS and expand the programs statewide are STALLED and may DIE in committee if legislators do not take action in the next couple weeks. The caps will not be lifted unless these bills pass! These bills need to move now! More than 8000 people statewide are waiting for critical daily supports!

What you can say:

People with disabilities and seniors in Wisconsin need long-term supports to live their lives! Family Care and IRIS are important programs! It is time to lift the caps and let people who live in counties without these programs have access to these supports ! Move these bills (Assembly Bill 477 and Senate Bill 380) now!

Need more information?: http://www.dawninfo.org/news4/post.cfm/take-action-to-end-the-waiting-lists

Thanks to our friends at BPDD and DRW for sharing this information with us.