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Monday, January 23, 2012  

• Governor's Budget out on Wednesday  
• Duals Program -Medicare and Medicaid 
• Annual Legislative Reception: March 7, 2012- Register  
• Film Festival-Boston in February  
• Clinical Director Position- Central Mass. (side bar) 

As always you can contact us with comments or questions at advocate@arcmass.org.

Regards,

-The Staff

Governor's Budget Out on January 25!  

Governor Deval Patrick will release his proposed budget for next fiscal year (2013) on Wednesday. Representatives of The Arc and ADDP met with administration officials last week to emphasize our concerns about the challenges faced by families and persons with disabilities over the past 3 years.

More than 4,400 persons with disabilities (conservative estimate) in need of some support have graduated special education programs over this 3 year period during the recession. At DDS (Dept. of Developmental Services), referrals for Turning 22 total approximately 2,100 people during this same time period. Annually at least 200 of the special education graduates headed to DDS are in urgent need of residential services. The rising numbers of adults turning 22 years with autism, complex medical conditions and other disabilities are finding few options with many choosing state plan services which do not provide employment options. Others are finding no alternatives.

Meanwhile employment funding at DDS and MRC (Mass. Rehabilitation Commission) has been frozen or cut with no follow along dollars at MRC for individuals placed in employment.   Two stories from this fall hit home. A middle-aged man of 57 years just entered a local housing apartment complex but his care is being coordinated by his parents who are in their 80s. No disability agency has prioritized him for funding or services. Needless to say, he will need more supports soon- his parents can't do it on their own. Another young man of 25 years with autism is at home without options since he has been deemed ineligible for DDS services after years of special education. With family support cut by $10 Million in 2010, this family and many others have no alternative.

Community programs managed primarily by non-profits have not received cost of living adjustments in years and salaries are trailing behind state employee counterparts. There was no raise for this group, despite a 3% raise for state employees this year. Health care premium increases are squeezing agencies financially too.

It's critical to make up for lost time as situations become more desperate for individuals and/or families in the community: New funding is needed for Family Support, Turning 22, Employment and Community Service Rates and Salaries.  

Stay Tuned - In addition, plan on being at The Arc/MDDC annual legislative reception on March 7 - register here or read the story below.

Agencies you can be listed as a co-sponsor.  It's a great day to also visit your legislator in person and volunteers will be there to assist. 

Medicare and Medicaid   

As we previously reported efforts continue on combining Medicare and Medicaid spending and service delivery for persons with disabilities aged 21 to 64 years who qualify for both insurance programs (also known as "dual eligible" project). We have posted background information and our response at this location (Medicare and Medicaid Combined). A new report on risk management was released by the Mass. Medicaid Policy Institute (MMPI. It can be seen here.

Representatives of The Arc from different states will join our national policy office at a meeting with the Center on Medicare and Medicaid Services in early February. We also are working closely with ADDP and other organizations on this issue in the Commonwealth.

We have gotten inquiries from some of you asking if you or your family member is "dual eligible". If you have a disability, have both Medicare and MassHealth or Commonwealth and are between ages 21 to 64 years, the answer is yes.  

If you still have questions about your eligibility or status, please try the following contacts for assistance:

• Regional affiliate of The Arc family support staff or provider family support staff
• Your DDS service coordinator or other contact there
• Health Care for All Helpline (800) 272-4232 or TTY (617) 350-0974

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