From the Pennsylvania Health and Law Project (PHLP)
 

Most of Pennsylvania's 1.1 million adult Medicaid recipients will not be adversely affected by the Healthy PA benefit changes that started on January 1, 2015.  The Department of Human Services (DHS), formerly known as the Department of Public Welfare (DPW), indicated in a court filing related to litigation brought by Community Legal Services that it is implementing only the benefit package reforms approved by the federal government, which are the "Healthy Plus" and "Healthy PA (Private Coverage Option)" benefit packages.

The proposed "Healthy" benefit package, which contains significant benefit limits such as a $350 annual limit on lab work, is still under review by the federal government and is not being implemented effective January 1, 2015 as planned.  Federal approval of the "Healthy" package is not anticipated before the January 20th inauguration of Governor-Elect Tom Wolf, who has publicly opposed the Healthy PA initiative.

Click here to read the complete article. 

From Disability Scoop, Article by Christine Vestal, STATELINE

Finding care for children with medically complex or rare conditions can force parents to tap into networks of highly specialized physicians and hospitals scattered around the country.  This is especially challenging when the children are covered by Medicaid, because each state-run program has a different benefit package, payment structure and provider network.  Conflicting regulations and paperwork requirements can delay treatment and lead to unnecessary hospitalizations.  Medicaid's state-based rules also have thwarted efforts to develop a national clinical database researchers could use to find ways to improve the care of children with rare conditions.

A new bill in Congress would amend the 50-year-old Medicaid law to make it easier for health care providers in different states to coordinate the complicated care of these kids.  The proposal - the Advancing Care for Exceptional Kids Act - also calls for the creation of a national database of Medicaid claims data that researchers could use to study complicated conditions that affect one in 25 children nationwide.

Click here to read the article.

From The Arc of Pennsylvania

Click here for the document that contains policy positions that Pennsylvania's major disability organizations are recommending to the Wolf Administration Transition Team. 

From Disability Scoop, Article by Borys Krawczeniuk, THE TIMES-TRIBUNE/TNS

Sara Wolff fought hard to help others like her, so U.S. Senator Bob Casey, D-Pa., offered her a special thanks.  He invited Wolff to sit in the U.S. House gallery next Tuesday to watch President Barack Obama deliver the State of the Union speech.  Wolff helped Casey get a bill passed that helps those with disabilities.

"I was very surprised and excited at the same time," Wolff, 31, of Moscow, PA. said.  "This is my first time.  I'm very excited.  A little bit nervous, but very excited."
 

The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act, ABLE Act for short, allows people with disabilities to save money in untaxed accounts similar to tax-advantaged accounts used by families who save for college.  The act also allows Americans with disabilities to save money for education, housing, transportation and health care without losing eligibility for government programs. 

Click here to read the article.

From The Arc of the United States

The National Collaborative on Faith and Disability is hosting a free five-part webinar series beginning Monday, January 26, 2015, titled "Honoring Spiritual Needs and Gifts: From Inertia to Collaborative Action by Providers and Congregations."

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center has been providing technical support on this project and a great deal has been accomplished thus far. 

Click here for the flyer that explains more about the webinar series. 

Click here to register.

From the Department of Human Services
 

The Long-Term Care Commission was established on January 31, 2014 by Governor Corbett's executive order.  The order charged appointed commissioners with establishing a report that outlined recommendations to "achieve better health and life outcomes" for individuals with physical disabilities and older Pennsylvanians.  Governor Corbett also assigned the commissioners, chaired by the Secretaries of the Departments of Human Services and Aging, to examine the growing population and costs of care in Pennsylvania.  Through this examination commissioners were to propose care delivery models that will promote a sustainable long-term care services and supports system for current and future generations.

The commission conducted ten meetings and seven public input sessions as well as multiple workgroup break-out sessions.  From this work, four recommendations were included in the report with accompanying strategies for implementation. Click here to review the report. 

If you have questions, please contact Georgia Goodman at gegoodan@pa.gov.

From United Way of Allegheny County's 21 and Able Initiative  

From Policy Information Exchange (PIE)

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) is now accepting applications for the 2015 Autism Campus Inclusion (ACI) Leadership Academy.  The ACI summer leadership training prepares Autistic students to create systems change on their college campuses.  Accepted applicants will travel to Washington, DC and participate in advocacy training from May 30, 2015 to June 6, 2015.  Participants will acquire valuable skills in community organizing, policy formation, and activism. Travel and lodging are fully covered by ASAN.

View the flyer.  Watch the video of the 2013 alumni sharing their experiences

View and download the application here.

From NextPittsburgh.com, Article and photography by Martha Rial

Martha Rial is a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist and recently received ACHIEVA's Yvonne Zanos Excellence in Media award.
 

Boy Scout Troop 802 has embraced all the traditional scouting activities since they began meeting four years ago.  They have tied knots, competed in a pinewood derby and faced their fears while scrambling up a rope ladder.  What makes the troop unique is all its members are deaf and students at The Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in Edgewood.
 

The Boys Scouts of America have been reaching out to those with special needs for over a century.  The Laurel Highlands Council created the TrailBlazer District in 2009 to champion the needs of the disabled and encourage inclusion in scouting in southwestern Pennsylvania.  Over 4,000 youths with a wide range disabilities such as Tourette's syndrome, sight impairment and autism have participated in the program.
 

"It was our goal to create a comprehensive environment where physically and mentally handicapped individuals could share, participate and grow, in unison with our other core programs," says District Director Darla DiGiovanni.

TrailBlazer District Executive Bob Zelleznick has found working with the deaf scouts to be a rewarding experience.  He has been taking American Sign Language courses and receives a lot coaching from the boys. "They are just like any other troop you would go to in any neighborhood. Boys are boys," he said.
 

Click here to view the article and slideshow by Martha Rial.

State Representative's Dan Miller's 2nd Annual Children & Youth Disability and Mental Health Summit will now be on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at Beth El Congregation, 1900 Cochran Road, Pittsburgh PA 15220.  Please note this is a change from previously scheduled for March 25, 2015. 

• Resource Expo: state, county, local agencies, service providers, advocacy and support groups. 

• Informative Sessions: Early intervention, transition services, advocacy, transportation, public assistance and other important topics.

This event is free and open to the public.  Questions or more information, please call 412-343-3870 or visit www.pahouse.com/miller.

Event Date: