Lawmakers have delayed legislation a controversial Medicaid requirement that personal care providers electronically check in when caring for people with disabilities.  A new bill calls for a delay until 2020 of "electronic visit verification" Which hopes to decrease fraudulent billing.   Supporters of the EVV system say that the delay would give people time to develop a system based on input from caregivers an stakeholders.  Many people feel that a lot more work needs to be done.  There are many concerns about things such as privacy.

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Microsoft recently announced a multimillion dollar initiative to develop technology that will benefit people with disabilities.  The five year program will create "accessible and intelligent" solutions.  The initiative which is called "AI for Accessibility," will include seed grants,  universities and other inventors and investments in projects.

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Meet Jane. This past Diehard Advocate award recipient is dedicated to helping people with disabilities find employment.  When she’s not busy working or serving as an adviser for People First, she has a plethora of hobbies.  She believes that everyone should have the right to vote.  She also encourages people to ask for help because we can all learn from one another.  We are so fortunate to have Jane as a member of the Self-Determination Network. 

How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?

Jane got involved in self-determination through her  place of employment which is Portal, Inc. in Grafton. She started four years ago as a Prevocational Mentor and worked with getting people out in the community and beginning to experience jobs. Currently, she work as a Job Consultant and Job Coach with Portal.  I also work with WIOA students two days a week teaching them self-determination and living skills.

Jane also helped restart the People First Chapter in Ozaukee County and became and advisor.  It was then that she heard of the Self-Determination Network and decided to join to make community connections and have a source to help her. She has attended the Self-Determination Conference the past four years and in 2015, she was awarded the Diehard Advocate award.   “It was pretty exciting,” she says.

Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms self-determination?

Jane is excited to see is all of the jobs available today in our community that are being filled by people with disabilities.

What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?

A tip Jane would like to share is that if you do not vote or do not know how, ask for help.  She encourages people to register to vote and head to the polls on voting day.  She says, “your voice matters.”  She explained that they had a member of their People First Chapter get back her right to vote which was really exciting.

What message would you like to share with the members of the SD Network?

“Many hands make light work,” Jane says. She explains that we don’t always have to reinvent the wheel.  She encourages people to ask for help--more times than not someone wants to help and can.

What are some of your hobbies?

Jane is a lady with many hobbies.  In addition to sewing, quilting,  and painting, she loves to wall paper. She also is an avid reader—she reads a book (mostly fiction, biographies, or cookbooks) every 10-14 days.  She also loves to people watch.

***We love hearing the views and opinions of Network members. We need to mention that the views and opinions expressed on this site are those of the person who is sharing them. They do not necessarily reflect InControl Wisconsin or any of our supporters and funders.

1. Participate in monthly planning meetings to move the work of the Coalition forward.
2. Identify outreach and training opportunities and serve as an ambassador for the Coalition in your community.
3. Join a subcommittee dedicated to one of the many important goals of the Coalition.
4. Share the work of the Coalition with your colleagues and friends via social media and other creative ways.

It's not widely known, but in many states people with disabilities can be stripped of their right to vote.  For adults with a developmental disability or mental illness, a guardian may be chosen to assist with management of their loved one’s finances and health care decisions. Judges are also empowered to make decisions regarding voter participation competency during these guardianship proceedings.  During this process in many states the person's right to vote can be taken away.  This opinion blog explains why many people feel that the law needs to be changed.  Many people feel that everybody should have the right to vote.

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It's graduation season.  Many people with disabilities will cross the stage overcoming tremendous odds.  That is the case for one UW-Green Bay alum.  Christopher not only overcame multiple disabilities, he also overcame poverty.  Growing up, his mother was a strong advocate for him and made sure to focus on what he could do.  As he got older, his self-determination and self-advocacy led him to some amazing opportunities.

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CMS Seeking Comment on Durable Medical Equipment Interim Final Rule

CMS is seeking comments on an interim final rule that increases payments to suppliers for some DME and enteral nutrition in areas of the country that are not subject to the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DEMPOS) Competitive Bidding Process (CBP). These include rural areas, and Alaska, Hawaii and the territories. From June 1 through December 31, 2018, payments will return to the blended rates that were in effect in 2016. 

The change is in response to stakeholder concerns about significant financial challenges created by the current rates for suppliers, as well as concerns that the number of suppliers in certain areas continues to decline. It is projected to result in a $70 million dollar Medicare cost-sharing increase to beneficiaries. This increase may be covered by supplemental insurance programs like Medigap, and for dual eligible beneficiaries, Medicaid pays the cost sharing. However, beneficiaries who do not have supplemental insurance or who are not dual eligible will have increased cost sharing.

For more information on Durable Medical Equipment Fee Schedule, Adjustments to Resume the Transitional 50/50 Blended Rates to Provide Relief in Rural Areas and Non-Contiguous Areas (CMS-1687-IFC) or to submit a comment on or before July 9, 2018, please visit Regulations..