The state budget eliminates IRIS as a separate Medicaid Waiver program, and folds self-direction under the umbrella of managed care. However, DHS must renew the current IRIS waiverset to expire at the end of 2015 so the IRIS program can continue to run until (and if) it is replaced by the new system.

Every opportunity to tell DHS what self-direction should look like is important. Submitting public comments on the current IRIS programeven though the state budget calls for self-direction to be folded under managed care in the new systemcan clearly communicate the elements of self-direction that people with disabilities and their families feel are important to retain in a new system.

Survival Coalition has prepared a briefFrequently Asked Questionssheet; advocates are reading and analyzing the content of this waiver; additional talking points are forthcoming.

Department of Health Services

Attn: IRIS Waiver

1 West Wilson Street, Room 418

P.O. Box 7851

Madison, WI 53707-7851

You can read the proposed IRIS waiver athttps://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/iris/iriswaiverrenewal.pdf