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About Us
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The mission of The Arc of Massachusetts is to enhance the lives of individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. We accomplish this through advocacy of supports and services based in the community.
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Donate to The Arc
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Your charitable gifts allow The Arc of Massachusetts to continue advocating for crucial supports and services for people with intellectual disabilities. You can support our mission by making a donation here!
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MASS Annual Conference
November 19 at Sturbridge Host
My Goals: My Dreams for the Future | |
Contact:
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Medicare & Medicaid |
The Globe and the Wall Street Journal carried articles on Medicare-Medicaid Integration this week.
Plans still include long term supports and services in the combined program. Medicaid is the only funder of long term supports/services (LTSS) and no useful data exists which separates Medicaid health care spending from Medicaid long term services (LTSS) spending. It is unlikely that integration with the two programs will be successful for recipients or the state if all services are combined. The focus should be on health care integration in this initial phase and gathering better data for long term services and supports.
The Arc hosted a conference call this week with state executives and CMS officials overseeing the integration. More to be shared next week. |
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The Week's Recap
Friday, October 28, 2011
- Losses this week, Celebrating two leaders who passed away
- Losses again- CLASS put on hold
- Medicare and Medicaid: Integrating Programs in the Press - Side bar
- In The News (three items)
- Education Committee meets on Auditor's Report on Collaboratives
As always you can contact us with comments or questions at advocate@arcmass.org.
Regards,
-The Staff |
| Losses - Allen Crocker and Lou Nisenbaum | |
Allen Crocker passed away last weekend. Dr. Crocker touched many lives on a personal and professional level. His humanity transcended his work. Nationally and at Boston's Children's Hospital he led the development of University affiliated centers that addressed the needs of children with disabilities. A celebration of his life will be held on November 13th, 2:30 P.M. at the First Unitarian Society in Newton, 1326 Washington Street, West Newton, MA. See headlines to read more about Dr. Crocker.
Louis Nisenbaum passed away Tuesday at the age of 63 years. He was a true leader, passionate advocate and provider. Lou and his wife, Emily spoke at many conferences with themes such as family, inclusion and dignity. More about Lou is on headlines at our home page. His service will be at November 7 at 11am in Fairhaven. Please go here for more information on the service.
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| Loss Again- CLASS put on hold! | |
On Wednesday of this week we heard that CLASS, one of the three wins for our community in the Affordable Care Act was put on hold. As you may know, Ways and Means leadership in Congress had wanted to repeal CLASS. This week the HHS Secretary announced that the program would be on indefinite hold. CLASS would have provided self funded long term care taking pressure off Medicaid.
"The reality is the long term services and supports needs of people with disabilities simply can't be put on hold while Congress engages in partisan attacks. CLASS is make or break for millions of American families - Congress and HHS must find a path forward to keep this promise and take pressure off of Medicaid, or they will leave the American people with terrible choices to make that will affect their health and dignity," said Marty Ford, Public Policy Director for The Arc.
To read more go here.
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In The News
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- Susan Parish, Lurie Center at Brandeis and James Perrin, Harvard Medical School had an op-ed published in USA Today on Children's SSI - see here
- Leo Sarkissian had a letter to the editor published in the Fitchburg Sentinel in response to a story about a public official's reaction to a new home being built for persons with disabilities
- Christina Taranto featured on the Huffington Post
"I can't tell you how much I admire Christina. As her parents explained to Social Security Works (with whom I am affiliated), she was born with severe disabilities. Today she lives in a residence for the blind in Massachusetts, where she performs volunteer work at an animal shelter and a community garden."
Please note these links may not be up after today.
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Education Committee Meets on Auditor's Report AND Reminder on Public Hearings at State House
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Auditor Suzanne Bump in recent months has documented misuse of funds in some collaboratives which provide special education services for students. She charged that one collaborative in particular was at fault in the way funds were spent both at the collaborative itself and a related non-profit agency. Gov. Deval Patrick and Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz have both filed legislation to address some of the problems found by the state auditor. The goal of the legislation is more accountability.
Monday, October 31, a hearing will begin at 11am in Fall River. Real Lives and Bridges to Success and other bills will be heard. Information here.
To write emails on issues-federal and state, please go this page on The Arc Mass Action Center site.
November 15, Passage to Independence and Eligibility Determination Bills will be heard among others. Scheduled for 10:30 am at the State House (B2).
The Arc's supported bills for Massachusetts here with links to bills. |
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