The Arc of Whatcom County

Parent Coalition E-Alert

December 2010

Parent Coalition
Greetings!

  

The Community of People with Disabilities of Washington State invite you to attend the Thirty-First Annual
 LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION 

 

WHEN: Wednesday, January 19th, 5:30-7:30 PM

WHERELegislative Building's Columbia Room

    

Other Questions? contact David Maltman at 1-800-634-4473


Developmental Screening Clinic
For Children Ages Birth - 5 Years
 
January 20, 2011
9 AM - 3 PM
St. Luke's Community Education Center
3333 Squalicum Pkwy, Bellingham
For more info: Call 360-676-6514 X 2
 
Parents will receive information about their child's developing skills including vision, hearing, and general growth.  This is an opportunity for parents to ask early childhood specialists about their child's development.

 


Medicaid Cuts Update

Medicaid program to cut some health services in 2011, but Governor restores pharmacy, physical therapy, Take Charge Family Planning

 

The Washington State Medicaid program on Friday began notifying clients and providers of a revised list of 2011 program cuts.

 

Among the restored benefits are retail prescription pharmacy, physical, occupational and speech therapies.  Governor Christine Gregoire withdrew those threatened cuts when she announced details of her supplemental budget recommendations on Friday, December 17.

 

Still on the list of immediate cuts are adult eyeglasses and contacts, adult hearing aids, adult dental services except for emergency treatments, all of which the Governor proposes to restore in her 2011 - 2013 budget effective 1 July, 2011.  Also on the cut list are school-based services for special education, and an eligibility change that will eliminate coverage for about 27,000 children who are not eligible for Medicaid.  All of those cuts are effective January 1 2011, except for the children's coverage, which is scheduled to end on March 1.

 

The list of Medicaid cuts includes:

 

Adult Hearing: Includes hearing aids, cochlear implants, bone-anchored hearing aids, and repair of these equipments, parts or batteries.

 

Adult Podiatry: Ends all foot care when it is not medically necessary to treat an acute condition.

 

Adult Vision: Applies to hardware (eyeglasses: frames and lenses).  Eye exams and medical treatment of the eyes would not be cut.

 

School-Based Medical Services: Medicaid will no longer reimburse school districts for health care-related services included in a Medicaid enrolled child's Individualized Education Program (IEP).  Under federal law, these services are the responsibility of school districts.

 

Medicare Part D Co-Pays: The state will no longer pick up the cost of small prescription co-pays that range from $1 to $5 for Medicaid clients also eligible for Medicare's Part D drug coverage.

 

Children's Health Program: Ends medical coverage March 1 for 27,000 children whose families meet medical income eligibility but don't qualify for other reasons.

 

Interpreter services: This program, set for termination on March 1, 2011, provides medically certified interpreters for English-deficient Medicaid clients.

 

Medical Care for Disability Lifeline and ADATSA: Effective March 1, medical services would end in the Disability Lifeline Program, previously known as General Assistance - Unemployable (GA-U), and Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment and Support Act, also known as ADATSA.

 

Cuts that were restored in the Governor's Supplemental Budget include:

 

Adult Pharmacy: this cut would have eliminated coverage for outpatient prescription drugs provided by a retail pharmacy for all adult clients (ages 21 and older).

 

Adult hospice: This program provides comfortable settings and nursing care for end-of-life.

 

Adult Outpatient Physical, Occupational, Speech therapies will continue for all ages.

 

First Steps / Maternity Support Services / Infant Case Management / Childbirth Education:  Funding to assist high-risk mothers before and after birth would continue, but funding will be cut by 50%.

 

If you have comments, questions, or complaints about the Medicaid budget cuts, please email medicaid.

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY 101
Must-read overview of budget cuts
and advocacy information!
 
The Arc of Washington State put together an enormously useful overview of what a developmental disability is, how those with disabilities are affected by budget cuts, how parents, family members, and friends can advocate for their loved ones with disabilities and MORE!

Budget and political issues can be complicated and confusing, and this booklet does a neat job of laying everything out in a manageable and easy-to-read way! Please read this and pass it around to friends, family members, and anyone who is confused or curious about how they can be a strong supporter for those with disabilities in their communities!

Find it: HERE
PARENT COALITION

The Parent Coalition of the Arc of Whatcom County provides information and education to individuals with developmental disabilities, their caregivers, families and the community by responding to requests for assistance. We provide 1:1 support and serve as a resource to increase understanding of the developmental disability service system and special education system.

 

For information and assistance, contact Beverly Porter, Parent Coalition Coordinator at (360) 715-0170, x306 or via email to [email protected]
ABOUT US

The Arc of Whatcom County provides information and referrals, educational programs, and funding for people with developmental disabilities, their families and the organizations that serve them.

This E-Alert is made possible by funding from the Whatcom County Developmental Disabilities program.


KNOW YOUR LEGISLATORS


US Legislators

Sen. Maria Cantwell
cantwell.senate.gov
Phone: (202) 224-3441

Sen. Patty Murray
murray.senate.gov
Phone: (202) 224-2621

2nd District

Rep. Rick Larsen
www.house.gov/larsen/
Phone: (202) 225-2605


EVENTS CALENDAR

January 2011

Resolution Run/Walk
Saturday, January 1
11 AM
Lake Paden
Contact Bellingham Parks & Rec:
360-778-7000

Youth Self-Advocacy
Saturday, January 8
10 AM - Noon
The Arc of Whatcom County's Dan Godwin Center
2602 McLeod Road, Bellingham
Registration Required:
Emily: 360-715-0170 X 305

Parent to Parent
Monday, January 10
7 PM - 8 PM
2001 H Street, Bellingham
Contact Christine:
360-225-2056 EXT 1

Spin Dance
Monday, January 17
6:00 - 8:00 p.m. (NEW TIME)
Bellingham Senior Center, 315 Halleck Street
Contact Amanda:
360-778-7000

Autism Support Group
Friday, January 21
Noon - 2 PM
Movie: Temple Grandin
The Arc of Whatcom County
2602 McLeod Road
Contact Beverly:
360-715-0170 X 306

Whatcom County Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board
Monday, January 24
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
St. Luke's Health Education Center
3333 Squalicum PKWY
Contact Jessica:
360-676-6724 X 32014