 Governor, what about children's services? Join us on June 21 at the Grappone Center for an informative discussion with the candidates to be NH's next Governor. Our annual End of Session Celebration, will host a Gubernatorial Forum. We will be asking the candidates to discuss their platform relative to children's services. There will also be an opportunity for your questions.This will be he first discussion of children's services in this year's election.
Maggie Hassan, Jackie Cilley and Kevin Smith have confirmed their attendance. Ovide LaMontagne has been invited. Scott Spradling will be the emcee of the panel.
We will also be revealing NH CAN's Accountability summary of legislative votes and giving you a final update of the 2012 NH CAN Priorities. Watch for full details in the invitation coming in the next week. Space will be limited so reserve your seat early.
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Priority Update
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Just when you though it was safe...
Senator Morse has introduced an amendment to HB 1652 that could will reduce the Communications Services Tax (CST) by anywhere from $6 million to as much $12 million per year. As you may know, HB 1652, as approved by the House, would devote $1.5 million of the roughly $18 million surplus from FY 2011 to funding for developmental disabilities services and transfer the remainder to the Stabilization Fund.
Senator Morse's amendment would preserve the additional $1.5 million for developmental disabilities, but would use much of the remaining surplus to offset -- temporarily - the impact of exempting Internet access from the CST.
The Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on Senator Morse's amendment Thursday, April 26, at 1:45 pm. I am writing to encourage each of you, or representatives of your organizations, to testify in opposition to the amendment.
For more information, contact Jeff McLynch of NHFPI at jmclynch@nhfpi.org.
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Education Tax CreditsSB 372, which establishes a tax credit to be used for private school vouchers, has a public hearing in the House today, at 2 PM. Here is more information about the Voucher Plan . The final House vote is likely to be Wednesday May 2. This will likely be a very close. This is a very complex issue, but our friends at NHFPI and Defending NH Public Education have done a terrific job keeping us updated. Please review the information on their sites regarding this issue and talk with your Reps about your concerns regarding this bill. If you are able to speak with your legislator, please let us know of your conversation so we can keep track of votes. Contact me at jdejoie@childrennh.org . -return to top-
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Oral Health Access NH CAN Partners have been actively working on SB 284, to expand oral health access. The House will vote on this bill Wednesday. Thanks to the support of our NH CAN Partners, things look favorable for the passage of this important Priority. Stay tuned! Check the Children's Alliance of NH's I Like My Teeth page to review testimony on SB 284. -return to top-
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Vista Job Posting
We are excited to announce that the Children's Alliance has been officially approved to host a VISTA volunteer! We are currently accepting applications for our VISTA NH Hunger Solutions Outreach Coordinator. The Outreach Coordinator will work to increase awareness of food insecurity in NH and assist us in implementing the NH Plan to End Childhood Hunger. Please share the VISTA posting with your networks and help us find a strong candidate! Click here for job description.
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Medicaid Managed Care
There has been a lot of activity regarding Medicaid Managed Care over the last few weeks, as the Executive Council reviews contracts for companies to manage the program. While this is not a NH CAN Priority, and NH CAN has taken no direct position, we are still monitoring the situation since it will affect many of NH's children and families.
Since this legislation passed last year, there have been more questions than answers. When NH CAN addressed this issue at our Summit keynote in November, we heard that very feedback. Many were overwhelmed by the complexity of the issue and still others were frustrated that there wasn't more known about the process. As the Executive Council contemplates approving the three contracts for Managed Care Organizations (MCO), we are still asking more questions than the contracts answered.
The Children's Alliance is part of a working group which is reviewing the contracts and raising areas of concern. The Executive Council considered this issue was on April 13th and 18th (see the live blog posts here). The Executive Council will consider the issue again on May 9th. If you have contact with your Councilor, let them know of your concerns. Please stay tuned.
See the managed care contracts (each contract is 600+ pages)
Meridian Centene Boston Medical
Advocate work group questions on managed care contracts
Commissioner's Response to advocate work group questions
Critical managed care questions remain unanswered
DHHS Care Management Page
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