MN-CCD: Current Legislative Proposals Limit Access to Services for Minnesotans with Disabilities
April, 2011
*This document will be updated periodically as proposals evolve and change*
Limited Access to Health and Long-term Care Services
The House and Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus bills both cut disability waiver programs. The House proposes to freeze spending as of March 2010, requires the same number of people to be served as were enrolled at that time, and requires DHS to reduce services provided and freeze enrollment before reducing provider rates to achieve the savings specified. The House also proposes to cap enrollment at the end of March 2010 for the DD, CADI, and TBI waivers. No one currently receiving services is removed, reduction is achieved through attrition. The Senate proposes to freeze enrollment at the end of fiscal year (FY) 2011 for the DD, CADI, and TBI waivers.
The House Health and Human Services Omnibus bill repeals funding set aside for alternatives for those losing personal care assistance (PCA) services. This funding would have provided a minimum level of PCA services to 2,800 Minnesotans with disabilities who will lose access to more comprehensive PCA services this July. Total amount cut: $8,028,000 (Line 780 in HF 927).
The House Health and Human Services Omnibus bill contains a 20% cut in wages for PCAs providing services to relatives. These are cuts in wages that are being used to pay rent and purchase food. In many of these cases, a non- relative PCA provider is simply not an option, whether due to uncompensated miles that a PCA would have to travel in rural areas or because many individuals need PCA assistance off and on throughout a 24-hour period. Total amount cut: $23,774,000 (Line 530 of HF 927).
The House Health and Human Services Omnibus bill contains potential additional cuts to waivered services if other savings don’t materialize. The bill proposes to apply to the federal government for a “Global Waiver (CHOICE)” that could reduce the states’ requirements for serving Minnesotans on Medical Assistance (Medicaid), as well as for a waiver to repeal the early expansion of Medicaid. If these prove not to be viable, Minnesotans with disabilities could see even further cuts to their already tenuous community-based service system. These cuts would be in addition to those already proposed in the bill. Total amount cut: $300,000,000 in rate cuts to service providers.
The Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus bill cuts Children and Community Services Act (CCSA) county grants. Some counties use these funds to provide the minimal support needed for an individual with a disability to be able to engage in meaningful daily activities, or for respite services. Total amount cut: $22,000,000 (Line 165 in SF 760).
The Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus bill cuts Family Support Grants. These grants are small amounts of funding that families use to prevent out of home placement of their children with disabilities. Total amount cut: $4,131,000 (Line 310 in SF 760).
The Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus bill eliminates Medical Assistance coverage of eyeglasses, prosthetics, dentures, and rehabilitation therapies. This cut applies to adults ages 18 and over who are on Medical Assistance. The rehabilitation therapies include speech, occupational, and physical therapy. These and the other services mentioned all help individuals to maintain or reacquire the skills necessary to continue to live as independently in the community as possible. Total amount cut: $12,060,000 (Line 165 in SF 760).
The Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus bill cuts mental health services for children and adults. These cuts include reducing adult mental health grants, eliminating children’s mental health screening grants and early intervention services, eliminating school-linked mental health grants, and eliminating metro area adult mental health crisis grants. Total amount cut: $49,378,000.
The House and Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus bills repeal the early expansion of Medical Assistance. This will leave 100,000 Minnesotans, many of whom have disabilities, without health insurance or access to health care. As a result, many such persons will delay needed care resulting in more severe medical conditions which will be more difficult and expensive to treat. Such treatment will be uncompensated, putting additional economic strain on our hospitals which will also experience a rate cut as required by the bill. Total amount cut in House: $457,932,000 (Line 798 in HF 927); Total amount cut in Senate: $921,296,000 (Line 787 in SF 760).
Limited Access to Employment Services
The Senate Jobs and Economic Growth and Development Omnibus bill freezes Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) funding at current levels. VR provides counseling and support services funding to help people with disabilities find jobs. VR operates as a federal/state partnership, drawing down $3.71 federal dollars for every $1 of state appropriation. Without an increase in the state match appropriation, $7,644,992 will be returned to the federal government at the end of the current Federal FY. An additional $11,936,100 will be returned in Federal FY 12, and fewer Minnesotans with disabilities will be able to access these services.
The House and Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus bills cut the MA-EPD (Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities) program. This is a state program started in 1999 that has allowed people with disabilities to pay a monthly premium to access needed Medicaid services as an incentive to join the workforce. About 7,000 people are now using this option. The House and Senate propose to have these individuals pay more to keep these job supports in place by having their monthly premiums increased by 100 percent in some cases and turning over more of their monthly Social Security checks to the government.
Limited Access to Special Education Services
The House and Senate Education Omnibus bills eliminate the 4.6% growth factor for special education aid and special education excess cost aid, which results in a $286 million dollar cut for FY 12-13.
Limited access to Transportation Services
The House and Senate Transportation Omnibus bills cut funding for public transit budgets, including Metro Mobility. Many people with disabilities can’t drive due to physical or cognitive limitations. Many who could drive can’t afford the expensive vehicle modifications that would make it possible. The Senate cuts general fund spending on transportation by $41 million for FY 12-13, while the House cuts transportation spending by $138 million for FY 12-13.
The Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus bill cut special transportation services. These services help individuals with disabilities get to and from their necessary medical appointments, appointments that help them to maintain their health and independence. Total amount cut: $1,529,000 (Line 711 in SF 760).
April 27, 2011
MN-CCD: Current Legislative Proposals Limit Access to Services for Minnesotans with Disabilities
Current Legislative Proposals Limit Access to Services for Minnesotans with Disabilities
April, 2011
*This document will be updated periodically as proposals evolve and change*
Limited Access to Health and Long-term Care Services
The House and Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus bills both cut disability waiver programs. The House proposes to freeze spending as of March 2010, requires the same number of people to be served as were enrolled at that time, and requires DHS to reduce services provided and freeze enrollment before reducing provider rates to achieve the savings specified. The House also proposes to cap enrollment at the end of March 2010 for the DD, CADI, and TBI waivers. No one currently receiving services is removed, reduction is achieved through attrition. The Senate proposes to freeze enrollment at the end of fiscal year (FY) 2011 for the DD, CADI, and TBI waivers.
The House Health and Human Services Omnibus bill repeals funding set aside for alternatives for those losing personal care assistance (PCA) services. This funding would have provided a minimum level of PCA services to 2,800 Minnesotans with disabilities who will lose access to more comprehensive PCA services this July. Total amount cut: $8,028,000 (Line 780 in HF 927).
The House Health and Human Services Omnibus bill contains a 20% cut in wages for PCAs providing services to relatives. These are cuts in wages that are being used to pay rent and purchase food. In many of these cases, a non- relative PCA provider is simply not an option, whether due to uncompensated miles that a PCA would have to travel in rural areas or because many individuals need PCA assistance off and on throughout a 24-hour period. Total amount cut: $23,774,000 (Line 530 of HF 927).
The House Health and Human Services Omnibus bill contains potential additional cuts to waivered services if other savings don’t materialize. The bill proposes to apply to the federal government for a “Global Waiver (CHOICE)” that could reduce the states’ requirements for serving Minnesotans on Medical Assistance (Medicaid), as well as for a waiver to repeal the early expansion of Medicaid. If these prove not to be viable, Minnesotans with disabilities could see even further cuts to their already tenuous community-based service system. These cuts would be in addition to those already proposed in the bill. Total amount cut: $300,000,000 in rate cuts to service providers.
The Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus bill cuts Children and Community Services Act (CCSA) county grants. Some counties use these funds to provide the minimal support needed for an individual with a disability to be able to engage in meaningful daily activities, or for respite services. Total amount cut: $22,000,000 (Line 165 in SF 760).
The Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus bill cuts Family Support Grants. These grants are small amounts of funding that families use to prevent out of home placement of their children with disabilities. Total amount cut: $4,131,000 (Line 310 in SF 760).
The Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus bill eliminates Medical Assistance coverage of eyeglasses, prosthetics, dentures, and rehabilitation therapies. This cut applies to adults ages 18 and over who are on Medical Assistance. The rehabilitation therapies include speech, occupational, and physical therapy. These and the other services mentioned all help individuals to maintain or reacquire the skills necessary to continue to live as independently in the community as possible. Total amount cut: $12,060,000 (Line 165 in SF 760).
The Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus bill cuts mental health services for children and adults. These cuts include reducing adult mental health grants, eliminating children’s mental health screening grants and early intervention services, eliminating school-linked mental health grants, and eliminating metro area adult mental health crisis grants. Total amount cut: $49,378,000.
The House and Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus bills repeal the early expansion of Medical Assistance. This will leave 100,000 Minnesotans, many of whom have disabilities, without health insurance or access to health care. As a result, many such persons will delay needed care resulting in more severe medical conditions which will be more difficult and expensive to treat. Such treatment will be uncompensated, putting additional economic strain on our hospitals which will also experience a rate cut as required by the bill. Total amount cut in House: $457,932,000 (Line 798 in HF 927); Total amount cut in Senate: $921,296,000 (Line 787 in SF 760).
Limited Access to Employment Services
The Senate Jobs and Economic Growth and Development Omnibus bill freezes Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) funding at current levels. VR provides counseling and support services funding to help people with disabilities find jobs. VR operates as a federal/state partnership, drawing down $3.71 federal dollars for every $1 of state appropriation. Without an increase in the state match appropriation, $7,644,992 will be returned to the federal government at the end of the current Federal FY. An additional $11,936,100 will be returned in Federal FY 12, and fewer Minnesotans with disabilities will be able to access these services.
The House and Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus bills cut the MA-EPD (Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities) program. This is a state program started in 1999 that has allowed people with disabilities to pay a monthly premium to access needed Medicaid services as an incentive to join the workforce. About 7,000 people are now using this option. The House and Senate propose to have these individuals pay more to keep these job supports in place by having their monthly premiums increased by 100 percent in some cases and turning over more of their monthly Social Security checks to the government.
Limited Access to Special Education Services
The House and Senate Education Omnibus bills eliminate the 4.6% growth factor for special education aid and special education excess cost aid, which results in a $286 million dollar cut for FY 12-13.
Limited access to Transportation Services
The House and Senate Transportation Omnibus bills cut funding for public transit budgets, including Metro Mobility. Many people with disabilities can’t drive due to physical or cognitive limitations. Many who could drive can’t afford the expensive vehicle modifications that would make it possible. The Senate cuts general fund spending on transportation by $41 million for FY 12-13, while the House cuts transportation spending by $138 million for FY 12-13.
The Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus bill cut special transportation services. These services help individuals with disabilities get to and from their necessary medical appointments, appointments that help them to maintain their health and independence. Total amount cut: $1,529,000 (Line 711 in SF 760).
April, 2011
*This document will be updated periodically as proposals evolve and change*
Limited Access to Health and Long-term Care Services
The House and Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus bills both cut disability waiver programs. The House proposes to freeze spending as of March 2010, requires the same number of people to be served as were enrolled at that time, and requires DHS to reduce services provided and freeze enrollment before reducing provider rates to achieve the savings specified. The House also proposes to cap enrollment at the end of March 2010 for the DD, CADI, and TBI waivers. No one currently receiving services is removed, reduction is achieved through attrition. The Senate proposes to freeze enrollment at the end of fiscal year (FY) 2011 for the DD, CADI, and TBI waivers.
The House Health and Human Services Omnibus bill repeals funding set aside for alternatives for those losing personal care assistance (PCA) services. This funding would have provided a minimum level of PCA services to 2,800 Minnesotans with disabilities who will lose access to more comprehensive PCA services this July. Total amount cut: $8,028,000 (Line 780 in HF 927).
The House Health and Human Services Omnibus bill contains a 20% cut in wages for PCAs providing services to relatives. These are cuts in wages that are being used to pay rent and purchase food. In many of these cases, a non- relative PCA provider is simply not an option, whether due to uncompensated miles that a PCA would have to travel in rural areas or because many individuals need PCA assistance off and on throughout a 24-hour period. Total amount cut: $23,774,000 (Line 530 of HF 927).
The House Health and Human Services Omnibus bill contains potential additional cuts to waivered services if other savings don’t materialize. The bill proposes to apply to the federal government for a “Global Waiver (CHOICE)” that could reduce the states’ requirements for serving Minnesotans on Medical Assistance (Medicaid), as well as for a waiver to repeal the early expansion of Medicaid. If these prove not to be viable, Minnesotans with disabilities could see even further cuts to their already tenuous community-based service system. These cuts would be in addition to those already proposed in the bill. Total amount cut: $300,000,000 in rate cuts to service providers.
The Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus bill cuts Children and Community Services Act (CCSA) county grants. Some counties use these funds to provide the minimal support needed for an individual with a disability to be able to engage in meaningful daily activities, or for respite services. Total amount cut: $22,000,000 (Line 165 in SF 760).
The Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus bill cuts Family Support Grants. These grants are small amounts of funding that families use to prevent out of home placement of their children with disabilities. Total amount cut: $4,131,000 (Line 310 in SF 760).
The Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus bill eliminates Medical Assistance coverage of eyeglasses, prosthetics, dentures, and rehabilitation therapies. This cut applies to adults ages 18 and over who are on Medical Assistance. The rehabilitation therapies include speech, occupational, and physical therapy. These and the other services mentioned all help individuals to maintain or reacquire the skills necessary to continue to live as independently in the community as possible. Total amount cut: $12,060,000 (Line 165 in SF 760).
The Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus bill cuts mental health services for children and adults. These cuts include reducing adult mental health grants, eliminating children’s mental health screening grants and early intervention services, eliminating school-linked mental health grants, and eliminating metro area adult mental health crisis grants. Total amount cut: $49,378,000.
The House and Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus bills repeal the early expansion of Medical Assistance. This will leave 100,000 Minnesotans, many of whom have disabilities, without health insurance or access to health care. As a result, many such persons will delay needed care resulting in more severe medical conditions which will be more difficult and expensive to treat. Such treatment will be uncompensated, putting additional economic strain on our hospitals which will also experience a rate cut as required by the bill. Total amount cut in House: $457,932,000 (Line 798 in HF 927); Total amount cut in Senate: $921,296,000 (Line 787 in SF 760).
Limited Access to Employment Services
The Senate Jobs and Economic Growth and Development Omnibus bill freezes Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) funding at current levels. VR provides counseling and support services funding to help people with disabilities find jobs. VR operates as a federal/state partnership, drawing down $3.71 federal dollars for every $1 of state appropriation. Without an increase in the state match appropriation, $7,644,992 will be returned to the federal government at the end of the current Federal FY. An additional $11,936,100 will be returned in Federal FY 12, and fewer Minnesotans with disabilities will be able to access these services.
The House and Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus bills cut the MA-EPD (Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities) program. This is a state program started in 1999 that has allowed people with disabilities to pay a monthly premium to access needed Medicaid services as an incentive to join the workforce. About 7,000 people are now using this option. The House and Senate propose to have these individuals pay more to keep these job supports in place by having their monthly premiums increased by 100 percent in some cases and turning over more of their monthly Social Security checks to the government.
Limited Access to Special Education Services
The House and Senate Education Omnibus bills eliminate the 4.6% growth factor for special education aid and special education excess cost aid, which results in a $286 million dollar cut for FY 12-13.
Limited access to Transportation Services
The House and Senate Transportation Omnibus bills cut funding for public transit budgets, including Metro Mobility. Many people with disabilities can’t drive due to physical or cognitive limitations. Many who could drive can’t afford the expensive vehicle modifications that would make it possible. The Senate cuts general fund spending on transportation by $41 million for FY 12-13, while the House cuts transportation spending by $138 million for FY 12-13.
The Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus bill cut special transportation services. These services help individuals with disabilities get to and from their necessary medical appointments, appointments that help them to maintain their health and independence. Total amount cut: $1,529,000 (Line 711 in SF 760).
Public Statement made in Press Conference
Hello, my name is Nichole Villavicencio. I am here in support of the MN Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MN-CCD). As a Citizen Lobbyist for people with disabilities, I am frustrated by the continued cuts to services for citizens with disabilities. Some of the services I receive through Medical Assistance include Personal Care Attendant services as well as coverage of my eyeglasses and dental services.
Although I am concerned with a number of the proposed cuts to disability services included in current legislation, one cut that will impact me personally is the proposed elimination of coverage of eyeglasses for adults on Medical Assistance included in the Senate Health and Human Services omnibus bill. On average, I get one pair of eyeglasses every year. I have had glasses every year since I was six years old. I am very near sighted and I have a stigmatism. I am on SSI and I struggle to pay the bills that I have now, so without this eyeglasses coverage I wuold not be able to afford a new pair of glasses. Without a proper pair of glasses, I could not drive my wheelchair. Being able to drive my wheelchair allows me to be the active member of my community that I am - working and volunteering are just two examples of what I contribute to my community. Another service that I access is coverage of my dental services. The Senate Health and Human Services omnibus bill also includes a proposal to eliminate coverage of dental services for adults on Medical Assistance. This would prevent me from seeing a dentist, which would eventually create more costly and avoidable dental issues for me.
For myself and the other disability advocates that I work with, these proposed cuts are frightening. I’m tired of the legislature telling me to compromise the quality of my life. The proposed cuts before us will jeopardize not only my freedoms, but also my ability to be a tax-paying contributor. Thank you to all here and I can take further questions after the news conference.
--Nichole L. Villavicencio
http://capablemn.org/
Cell: (507)206-8400
Although I am concerned with a number of the proposed cuts to disability services included in current legislation, one cut that will impact me personally is the proposed elimination of coverage of eyeglasses for adults on Medical Assistance included in the Senate Health and Human Services omnibus bill. On average, I get one pair of eyeglasses every year. I have had glasses every year since I was six years old. I am very near sighted and I have a stigmatism. I am on SSI and I struggle to pay the bills that I have now, so without this eyeglasses coverage I wuold not be able to afford a new pair of glasses. Without a proper pair of glasses, I could not drive my wheelchair. Being able to drive my wheelchair allows me to be the active member of my community that I am - working and volunteering are just two examples of what I contribute to my community. Another service that I access is coverage of my dental services. The Senate Health and Human Services omnibus bill also includes a proposal to eliminate coverage of dental services for adults on Medical Assistance. This would prevent me from seeing a dentist, which would eventually create more costly and avoidable dental issues for me.
For myself and the other disability advocates that I work with, these proposed cuts are frightening. I’m tired of the legislature telling me to compromise the quality of my life. The proposed cuts before us will jeopardize not only my freedoms, but also my ability to be a tax-paying contributor. Thank you to all here and I can take further questions after the news conference.
--Nichole L. Villavicencio
http://capablemn.org/
Cell: (507)206-8400
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