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February 13, 2012 

Celebrate school-based health care

February is National School-Based Health Care Awareness Month 

Communities across the nation are celebrating National School-Based Health Care Awareness Month by highlighting the work of more than 1,900 school-based health centers (SBHCs) across the country. SBHCs provide access to primary medical care, mental health services, preventive care, social services, and youth development to nearly 2 million children and adolescents.The theme of the 2012 National School-Based Health Care Awareness Month is Sharing Our Stories. The National Assembly on School-Based Health Care (NASBHC) and its partners are sharing stories of the tremendous impact school-based health care has on our nation's youth.

Learn more at www.nasbhc.org/actioncenter.

House repeals CLASS Act
The House of Representatives voted to repeal the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act (CLASS Act) a voluntary, long-term care insurance program of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Although HHS suspended the program last fall, some legislators want to remove it from the books. The House vote count was 267-159; 28 Democrats voted in support of H.R.1173, the bill to repeal. Although repeal passed in the House, there is no guarantee that the Democratic Senate will repeal. Read more from Politico and The Hill.

Medicaid drugs proposed rule published 

On February 2, 2012 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on Medicaid covered outpatient drugs [PDF 860KB] in the Federal Register. This proposed rule would revise requirements pertaining to Medicaid reimbursement for covered outpatient drugs to implement provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Affordable Care Act). This proposed rule revises requirements related to covered outpatient drugs, including key aspects of Medicaid coverage, payment, and the drug rebate program. 

The 60 day public comment period will end on April 2, 2012.  

House to consider two bills to cut federal spending
The House may soon consider two bills (H.R. 3576 and H.R. 3580) in a package of ten bills to alter the federal budget process. Both would limit federal spending to levels similar to those in the House-passed budget resolution last year (known as the "Ryan Budget") which would block grant the Medicaid program. These two bills would require large cuts in federal spending, and effectively require that deficit reduction come from program cuts and not from revenues, and make it easier to cut entitlement programs (Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare). Learn more at the CBPP website.   

 
CBO report: budget and economic outlook show consequences of policy choices
Each January, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) prepares "baseline" budget projections spanning the next 10 years. The new report projects that government spending for Medicare, Medicaid, and other health care programs will more than double over the next ten years to $1.8 trillion, or 7.3 percent of the country's total economic output. Health care spending increases are due mainly to the aging U.S. population and rising treatment costs. Medicare accounts for about half of the cost, Medicaid accounts for about one-third of the cost, and the remainder is attributed to new federal subsidies to help lower income Americans purchase insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The report also includes an "alternative fiscal scenario" in which Congress both extends all of the Bush era tax cuts that are scheduled to expire at the end of 2012 and repeals the automatic spending cuts scheduled to take effect in early 2013. Under this alternative scenario, CBO projects that the national debt will increase by $11 trillion by 2022. The report is available on the CBO website. 
 

AMA resolution

The American Medical Association recently passed a resolution proclaiming support for the designation of people with intellectual disabilities as a Medically Underserved Population. The AMA resolution can be found at

http://www.ama-assn.org/resources/doc/cms/i11-cms-report3.pdf.

New guide helps find support for respite
ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center (ARCH stands for Access to Respite Care and Help) released a new guide: "Federal Funding and Support for Respite: Building Blocks for Lifespan Respite Systems"  with information about each of the federal programs that could provide respite funding or support  It can be useful to family caregivers or those who assist them in helping to identify sources of funding that could be used to pay for respite.  Available online. 

HHS releases new guidance for dual-eligibles
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office and the Center for Medicare recently released more guidance to private insurance plan sponsors regarding the financing and care for dual-eligibles. The guidance includes a timeline for the approval of state demonstrations and the selection of participating plans. The memorandum also states that demonstrations will last three years. Read more.

A new update from the Kaiser Family Foundation's Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured

Findings are that most states are on track with their Medicaid budget and enrollment trends for fiscal year 2012 and do not anticipate the need for significant mid-year cuts. In fiscal year 2013, many states are planning to take advantage of new opportunities available under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) ...States will continue to face the dual challenges of implementing health reform and coping with another year of budget shortfalls heading into fiscal year 2013.

A Mid-Year State Medicaid Budget Update for FY 2012 & A Look Forward to FY 2013 is based on structured discussions with leading Medicaid directors in November 2011 and survey questions emailed to all 50 states and DC.

Children's Photographs Will Put a Smile on Your Face

All in the Family Photography will offer families a full day of portrait creation at the Disability Empowerment Center.

Raising Special Kids is the beneficiary of this event, so in addition to a family photograph, you are also helping families of children with disabilities. Call today for your appointment. 

Photo Session Appointment: 602-242-4366

Saturday, February 25^th, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Disability Empowerment Center

5025 E. Washington Street, 2^nd floor classroom A

Phoenix, AZ 85034

$80 Photo package:

• Up to 30 minute photo session
• CD with all portraits and copyright release
• 2 - 8x10
• 3 - 5x7
• 5 - 4x6

$50 of the photography package goes to help Raising Special Kids!

Action Day at the Capitol & Legislative Training

Sponsored by Arizona Disability Advocacy Coalition (AzDAC)

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Where: 2nd floor conference room, Capitol Towers, 1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007

Registration required! Free.

• Hear how Arizona Legislators plan to deal with the continuing budget shortfall.  
• Learn what disability will be proposed in this session.
• Observe the Legislature in action. Be introduced in the House and the Senate.
• Learn how you can testify on bills via the internet
• Register to use the "Request to Speak" system. 
• Box lunch provided. 

Online registration: http://azdacatcapitol.eventbrite.com.  Questions and/or assistance: David Carey at davidc@abil.org or call 602-443-0723.

Spofit Fitness Center Grand Opening

Join Spofit on February 24th and 25th as the Virginia G. Piper Sports and Fitness Center for Persons with Disabilities (SpoFit) kicks off their official grand opening celebration! Friday, February 24th will feature various adaptive sports demonstrations such as quad rugby, wheelchair basketball, and fencing.  They will also be providing visitors with an opportunity to try adaptive programs! Find out more.

Phone:  602.386.4566, Email: spofitinfo@abil.org

5031 E Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85034  Google Map

2012 Disability Policy Seminar registration now open
Register for the 2012 Disability Policy Seminar, April 23-25 in Washington, and take advantage of special early registration and hotel rates until March 20. This event is an opportunity for advocates to advance the grass-roots movement for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This unique platform offers you the opportunity to come together with other advocates, learn about the issues, and speak with your elected officials about what is important to you. Register now for the best rates and availability at the Grand Hyatt in downtown Washington, and find out more about this year's program at www.disabilitypolicyseminar.org.

Rare Disease Symposium
Agenda at: www.sanfordresearch.org/ClassLibrary/Page/Images/files/RDD_Agenda.pdf
Not able to attend in person? You can call-in! Register at www.sanfordresearch.org/cords
The 2nd Annual Rare Disease Symposium is on Saturday, February 25th, 2012, at the Sanford Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Researchers, healthcare professionals, and community members are invited to attend to learn more about rare diseases and the challenges faced by those who are affected. The event will also provide families and patients an opportunity to network with others affected by rare disease and meet with the speakers.

Tourette Syndrome Educational Event

Friday, May 4, 2012, 12:45pm - 6:00pm

Diagnosing and Treating Tourette Syndrome and Associated Conditions

For more information, please visit the Tourette Syndrome Website.

Register by April 20th

CME Program for physicians and allied health professionals (1:00 - 4:15):

Please register online at: http://psychiatry.arizona.edu/TSA-registration

Program for Individuals/Families and the general public (4:30 - 6:00pm):

To Register: Martie Fankhauser: martie_fankhauser@yahoo.com or call (520) 884-9091.

13th Annual Greater Phoenix Autism/Asperger's Conference

March 30-31, 2012

MADCAP Theater

730 South Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281

More information: www.phxautism.org

Friday Keynote Speaker is Dr. Temple Grandin, a highly successful adult with autism, and one of the leading lecturers on how to help individuals with autism/Asperger's.

Help other parents, share your experience and knowledge with professionals, and learn how to advocate for improvement in our systems of care.

For information about Parent Leader Training and opportunities to make a difference, contact Janna Murrell at Raising Special Kids 602-242-4366 or jannam@raisingspecialkids.org.

"I've had so much support from Raising Special Kids, especially our chats when I could hardly talk and you were so understanding and reassuring. Recently another couple stopped us in a parking lot.  Their son was 5, and just identified on the autism spectrum. I urged them to contact Raising Special Kids. I just don't know where we'd be without you!" 

To register, call 602-242-4366 or click on the link to register online.

Unless otherwise indicated, workshops are located at our office in the Disability Empowerment Center (DEC). Please do not wear fragrances in the DEC facilities.

Raising Special Kids

5025 E. Washington St., Suite 204

Phoenix, AZ 85034 

Bully-Free Environments

February 16, 2012

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Learn how to recognize bullying, effectively respond and build positive solutions. 

Advanced IEP Training

February 22, 2012

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Receive an in-depth view of the IEP and strategies to help maximize the potential of each student. (Recommended: First attend IEP Basics)

 Parent/Professional Collaboration

February 22, 2012

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Techniques for effective advocacy.  What to ask, how to ask for it.