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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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Governor's Budget Due in January
On January 25, the Governor is expected to release his budget to the legislature and public. The Arc, along with ADDP and other organizations, has been advocating for months on the 2013 budget. Meetings have been held with the Governor's cabinet leadership and others. We are concerned about the slowness of recovery along with the uncertainty at the federal level of what will be done with the budget deficit. At the same time, we know the following to be true in Massachusetts: -Turning 22 (T22) graduates total over 700 students for the second year in a row. Funding has been inadequate.
-Family Support forums across the Commonwealth highlighted the need for restoration of the 2010 cuts to resume effectiveness of the program.
-Resources for the Autism Division, DESE-DDS program (which prevents residential school placement), Transportation and Waiting List as part of Community First.
Jay Gonzalez, Secretary of Administration & Finance commented to State House News: ...state government, he said, would see an overall reduction in spending, with limited increases and "many, many" programs level-funded, some slashed, and others eliminated altogether". Stay tuned for developments on the budget. Your advocacy can make a difference!
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Friday, January 13, 2012
- The Arc Responds to State's Medicare - Medicaid Proposal
- Governor's Budget Pending - Jan 25 (side bar)
- Rep. Devers - New House Vice Chair of Key Committee
- Capitol Hill Update
If you missed our 2011 year-end message, please go here.
As always you can contact us with comments or questions at advocate@arcmass.org.
Regards,
-The Staff
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The Arc Responds to the State's Medicare and Medicaid Integration Proposal
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As we reported on December 7, 2011, MassHealth released a draft of its proposal to the federal government to combine Medicare and Medicaid spending and service delivery for persons with disabilities aged 21 to 64 years who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid (also known as "dual eligible" project). We have posted background information and our response at this location (Medicare and Medicaid Combined).
The Arc has one significant policy position that is different from other advocates, such as Independent Living Centers, NAMI-Mass and Health Care for All. We believe including long-term support services in a single blended rate to private managed care corporation(s) is, at best, risky and, at worst, could result in the reduction of those services if health care costs continue to rise. [Long-term support services (LTSS) are community-based services, such as residential, employment, and day habilitation.]
We also worry that other groups do not recognize the costs entailed in supporting individuals who have profound impairments in intellectual functioning with or without disabling conditions. PowerPoint presentations developed by MassHealth consistently feature charts reflecting the higher per capita cost of supporting persons with developmental disabilities through Medicaid. At the same time, we are trying to educate and have meet with Washington DC decision makers driving this policy change who are unaware of waiver services and the history of deinstitutionalization. A meeting coordinated by The Arc US with federal officials will take place in early February.
Direct Link to response from The Arc
Link to description of issue
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Marcos Devers - New House Vice Chair
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Marcos Devers was recently appointed House Vice Chair of the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. This is a key committee for The Arc. He joins Chairs Khan and Rodrigues and Senate Vice Chair Donnelly to round out the leadership of the Joint Committee.
Rep. Devers was elected to the House in 2010. He led the Lawrence City Council as President from 2002 to 2004 during his six year service to that body. A civil engineer by profession, Rep. Devers has been involved in public life for over a decade. We appreciate Rep. Devers for reaching out to us, and we look forward to working with him.
Photo Note: Rep. Devers is in the middle with CLASS CEO Bob Harris, Kendrys Vasquez, Leo Sarkissian and Jessica Cimini (CLASS COO). CLASS staff member Kendrys recently was elected to his first term to the Lawrence City Council. s management.
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Capitol Hill Update
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The holiday hiatus ends January 17th for House members while Senators return for sessions on the 23rd.
Full Waiver of RX C0-PAY for Dual Eligibles
The Affordable Care Act provides that dual eligibles (those who qualify for both Medicare and full Medicaid benefits) who receive Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) are eligible for a full waiver of co-payment requirements for their Medicare Part D prescription drugs. This policy became effective January 1, 2012. The provision puts people who are receiving HCBS in the community on equal footing with those who reside in institutions and whose co-pays are also waived. The National Senior Citizens Law Center has prepared a helpful summary for advocates here.
Restraint and Seclusion
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced S. 2020, Keeping All Students Safe Act, a bill to protect students from ineffective and dangerous seclusion and restraint practices in schools. The bill would prohibit locked and unattended seclusion, mechanical and chemical restraints, and physical restraints that restrict breathing. Physical restraints could only be used in emergency situations and could not be included in a student's individual education program (IEP) or any other behavior plan. The House passed a similar bill in 2010 that did not get any traction in the Senate. The Arc has joined several other advocacy organizations in support of this bill.
More federal news at thearc.org
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