It was a relatively quiet week at the Capitol this week regarding rules or legislation that impacted people with disabilities.  People are gearing up, however, for our Disability Advocacy Day at the Capitol this Friday, February 3rd.  We are looking forward to a great turnout at the JFAC Public Hearing and throughout the day!    

During the 2011 legislative session, HB 260 was passed.  This bill, called the Medicaid Cost Containment and Health Improvement Act, cut many services needed by people with disabilities.  Many of the cuts made through HB 260 were originally included in temporary rules.   Although it was difficult, people were willing to go along with temporary cuts for a short time until the economy improved.  Now that the economy is looking a little better, it is time to restore funding that was cut from Medicaid and bring back some of the services that people need.

Below are some of the changes that advocates and providers are working with legislators to include in legislation this year:

1. Striking the language in law that limits Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services (PSR) to 5 hours a week for children and 4 hours a week for adults.
2. Eliminating the language that says that budgets for services for adults with developmental disabilities will be moved into a "tiered approach as currently used for children's developmental therapy."  
3. Change the language that says that budget modifications will be allowed only when health and safety issues are identified.  
4. Eliminate the language that requires the Department of Health and Welfare to develop a blended rate to cover both individual and group developmental therapy services.  
5. Change the sections in the law that require a person to choose between PSR and developmental therapy even if they need both.  
6. Strike the language that does not allow providers to be paid for collateral contact.

The Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) has prepared a document outlining talking points for each of these recommendations.Click here to download these talking points.

These may be helpful in talking about the issues with your legislators and/or when providing testimony at the Feb. 3rd JFAC Public Hearing or future hearings.

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Public Hearing on the State Budget (Feb 3rd 8:00a.m. - 10:30 a.m.)

The Joint Finance and Appropriation Committee (JFAC) has scheduled a public hearing and invited anyone to come and share their ideas and input.  Testimony will be limited to 3 minutes and people are encouraged to come early to sign up to testify.   

Last year, JFAC held separate hearings on the Education budget and the Medicaid budget. 1000 people came to the capitol to participate in the Medicaid budget hearing and 400 were given an opportunity to speak.  This year's hearing is on the entire state budget so there will be people who will come to speak on all aspects of it.  

It is critical that people with disabilities, their families, advocates, providers and community members turnout for this important public hearing and make their voice heard.

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Disability Advocacy Day at the Capitol - Feb. 3rd:

It is critical that people with disabilities, family members, advocates and providers come to the Capitol on February 3rd.  In addition to attending the JFAC public hearing, it is important to meet 1:1 with your local legislator.  Organizations will be available to assist you to arrange a meeting with your legislator while you are in town.  The 4th floor of the Capitol will have representatives from 14 advocacy and provider association groups to provide assistance, information and support.  

In addition, representatives of these groups are available to assist you prior to Feb. 3rd to:     

• Write your testimony
• Schedule a meeting with your legislator
• Tell your story of why Medicaid is important in your life and the impact of changes
• If you are coming from outside Boise and need assistance with a place to stay OR if you are able to assist by providing a place for out of town people to stay, please contact Richelle Tierney atrichelle.tierney@mycpid.com.  It is critical that we get as many people to Boise on February 3rd as possible.  Everyone's help is appreciated!

LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE COMING - We are working hard to turn out people for this very important event.  Last year, legislators got a strong message that Medicaid Matters in Idaho by the hundreds of people who attended the JFAC hearing, the HB221 hearing and the Medicaid Matters rallies.  

Send us a quick e-mail response to let us know if you are planning to come on February 3rd and if there is anything we can help you with prior to or on the day of the hearing.  

Please pass on this date to your friends and family and encourage them to come and show their support!  

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