First Things First Regional Councils Seeking Applicants
Are you passionate and determined to make a difference for young kids in your community? If so, First Things First needs you! They are currently looking for volunteers to serve on the local First Things First Regional Partnership Councils.
There are 31 Councils statewide that identify the needs of children under six in their communities, work with community stakeholders to establish priorities, and determine strategies to fund. Beyond these funding decisions, the regional councils build collaborations with local partners to help ensure the most efficient use of resources and achieve positive outcomes for young children.
Each council member is expected to serve a four year term, live or work in the region they wish to represent and be willing to dedicate a minimum of ten hours a month to the position. If this sounds like something you would like to do, please go to the First Things First website and apply today.
Hospitals Challenged by Legislature's Cuts to AHCCCS
Rising numbers of uninsured patients are seeking free or reduced-cost care in hospital emergency rooms. Arizona's three largest hospital systems are leaving a statewide hospital lobbying group over concerns about how the group represents the large hospitals on legislative and regulatory issues. Read article at azcentral.com
Follow the development of policy changes regarding AHCCCS in this document on the AHCCCS website Tracking Arizona's Medicaid Reform Plan AHCCCS Activities
AHCCCS Activities on News & Updates webpage
Updates from Thursday, Jan 26, 2012
AHCCCS has updated its analysis on Medicaid expansion scheduled to be effective January 1, 2014, pursuant to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Note, these estimates are based on information available at this time and should not be considered definitive as there remains a number of uncertainties. Federal guidance regarding a number of issues is forthcoming and is expected to have an impact on these estimates. Continue to check the website for updates to this information.
ACA Prelim Estimates [40KB]
Legislative Developments
WATCH LIST: SB 1258 (third grade promotions; exceptions).
Sponsor is Senator Crandall. This bill entirely omits a parental exemption, which means parents have no choice in whether their child is retained or promoted in third grade, effective next year. For students receiving special education services, the bill has no provision for the IEP team to determine placement, and mandates the student can only "move on when reading."
This was a busy week of hearings and bill introductions. About 1100 bills have been introduced. Here are some notes from the past week:
HB 2655, DD Services; Providers; Monitoring,
Passed in the House Health and Human Services Committee.
This bill would reduce monitoring visits to once a year for provider agencies who achieve a score of 95% on their last monitoring visit; and once every three years for provider agencies granted "deemed status." The Arc of Arizona and the Arizona Center for Disability Law were opposed. AHCCCS was neutral on the bill, but expressed concerns. Even though the bill passed the Health committee, many members had questions and asked for a stakeholders meeting. Several stakeholder groups expressed concerns over granting a three year period without monitoring for health, safety, and consumer issues.
SB 1061, National School Lunch Program; Optional,
A bill to allow school districts to opt out of the free and reduced price school lunch program passed the Senate Committee of the Whole and is headed for a final vote in the Senate.
New bills:
HB 2696 (vulnerable adults; financial exploitation).
Sponsor is Representative Ash.
SB 1250 (health insurance; interstate purchase).
Sponsor is Senator Barto. This is a slightly revised version of the same bill (to eliminate health insurance mandates) that the Governor vetoed last year.
SB 1261 (preschool programs; charter schools). Sponsor is Senator Crandall. This bill authorizes charter schools to provide a preschool program for children with disabilities.
