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DDA needs to hear from YOU!
It has come to our attention that DDA has made some changes to eligibility requirements for LISS funding from previous years. (See eligibility requirements in the Operating Procedures Manual on the DDA website.)
These changes include the exclusion of individuals who are on REM and the Model Waiver.
Both REM and Model waiver are designed to meet the medical needs of a person with specific medical needs and conditions. They are not designed to provide family support or items that a person would need or want beyond what is medically necessary like respite, camps, items like ipads, adaptive clothing, and other items and services listed in the operating manual and application for LISS. We believe this seems discriminatory because it only affects those receiving public insurance (Medicaid). If a person were to receive these same services through their private insurance they would remain eligible for LISS funding.
This change in eligibility appears to have been made without any stakeholder input. It is important that DDA always seek out the input of those who will be affected by their decisions. Also there was no announcement about this or other changes regarding eligibility (though it is noted in the eligibility requirements of the operations manual that has been added to the website as of June 27, 2014). Many families may go through the application process without understanding they are not eligible because of the lack of information.
Please share these concerns with Bernie Simons, Executive Director of DDA, and Joshua Sharfstein, Maryland Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene, by clicking:
Change the Eligibility Requirements!
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