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Potential Issues regarding:

In Home Support Services

AB 2424 ( Beall ) Fact Sheet

One of the outcomes from YOUR work on

SB 1270

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Latest Budget Information - 2/5/08

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The Final Report Is Here

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The American Academy of Pediatrics

- Autism -

October29, 2007

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Commision Home Page

Blue Ribbon Commision Report

2007

SB 558 (Figueroa) – Fact Sheet

Medicare Part D Co-Pays For Dual Eligible Beneficiaries

Background

Prior to January 1, 2006, 1.1 million dual eligible Medi-Cal beneficiaries (those who receive coverage from both Medi-cal and Medicare) received their prescription drugs through Medi-Cal without paying a co-payment. When these beneficiaries were shifted onto the Medicare Part D drug plans they were required to pay co-payments for their prescriptions. The mandated co-pays are $1 for generic or $3 for brand name drugs. Co-payments are paid for each prescription filled.

The 100,000 dual eligible beneficiaries in California nursing homes are not required to pay co-pays (creating a financial incentive for persons to be in an institution rather than remain in the community).

The required co-pays constitute a significant barrier for the one million non-institutionalized dual eligibles to get the prescriptions they need to remain healthy. This group is very low income, sick and frail. They are all elderly or significantly disabled and are among the highest users of prescription drugs because many suffer from chronic illnesses. The average number of medications for this population frequently ranges to 10 to 12 per month, but may be many more to treat certain conditions. Thus, these very low income individuals may face monthly costs of $35 or more for their drugs.

These individuals are being forced to choose among rent, utilities, food and medicines. Many dual eligibles are on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and have a total monthly income of only $836 ($901 if blind). Tens of thousands live in Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) and assign their entire monthly SSI check to the RCFE for room and board. This leaves them with virtually no cash income to pay drug co-pays. One result is that this frail, vulnerable population may choose to not take medicine putting them at risk for hospitalization or long-term institutionalization.

Until May 16, 2006, California’s emergency Medicare Part D backup program covered dual eligible beneficiaries unable to pay co-pays. The program authorized under AB 813 in effect until January 2007 does not cover mandated co-pays. The Department of Health Services (DHS) estimates that the annual cost of covering co-pays to be $75 million. The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAPs), a group of state and federally funded agencies throughout the state advising seniors on Medicare issues, and some advocates, believe the cost to be somewhat lower. HICAP’s lower estimate is based on the fact that the state’s obligation to cover co-pays will be capped at $5100 annually for total prescription costs and many seniors easily exceed the $5100 limit.

This Bill

SB 558, sponsored by the Congress of California Seniors and Health Access, would require the Department of Health Services to pay for all co-payments for individuals under Part D of the prescription drug plan (Medicare Part D). Specifically, this bill would authorize DHS, beginning January 1, 2007, and to the extent that funds are available, to provide payments to pharmacies to cover the costs of co-payments for a Medicare- eligible person who is also eligible for Medi-Cal prescription drug benefits.

Support

Health Access

Congress of California Seniors

Status

It is anticipated that SB 558 (Figueroa) will be heard in the Assembly Health Committee on Tuesday, June 27th at 1:30 p.m. in Room 4202. If you have any questions, please contact Beth Capell at (916) 497-0760, Gary Passmore at (916) 442-4474, or Tara Andress at (916) 651-4435.

Participate in Developing

The California State Plan

The Area Board is seeking your comments in developing a California State Plan. A vision for delivering services and supports to Consumers and Families.

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The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation
Professional Public Policy Fellowship Program 2007

The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation is seeking outstanding professionals working in the field of inclusive services and supports for people with mental retardation, intellectual and developmental disabilities for an intensive one-year Public Policy Fellowship in Washington, D.C. During this one year Fellowship, the successful applicant will learn how legislation is initiated, developed, and passed by the Congress, or how programs are administered and regulations promulgated by federal agencies.

Each year the Foundation brings talented and accomplished professionals to Washington for a full year, where they actively participate in public policy development through work on the staff of a congressional committee, or a federal agency. Former Public Policy Fellows describe the Fellowship as a major turning point in their lives. The coming year offers exciting opportunities to be involved in policy and legislative development in key areas such as special education, health and mental health care for persons with mental retardation, child care, housing, justice, child welfare and other areas related to improving the quality of life for individuals with mental retardation/intellectual disabilities.

Since its founding in 1946, the Foundation has supported the creation of practical programs to benefit persons with mental retardation, their families and their communities. The Foundation has always worked with national leaders who understand the realities of government. The need for skilled leadership in government and public policy has never been greater. In response to this need, the Foundation initiated the Public Policy Fellowship Program in 1980. Fellows receive first-hand knowledge and experience in the development of public policy and the opportunity to participate in an advocacy training workshop, national disability policy seminars and the intensive week-long Bioethics course at Georgetown University’s Kennedy Institute of Ethics.

We seek professionals with outstanding experience in:

State or national level advocacy for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families;

vocational rehabilitation, education, child care, child welfare, law, employment, community organizing, housing or development of inclusive community supports and services;

health or mental health care for people with mental retardation; or

development of family training or family support services.

The successful applicant’s background will include distinguished involvement in efforts to improve the lives of persons with mental retardation and other disabilities at the regional, state or national level. The expectation is that fellows will become future leaders in the field of inclusive community supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and will return home after their year in Washington to make significant contributions to policy and program development in their home state or continue to advance their work on the national level.

The program provides a one-year full-time exposure to the federal public policy making process, and includes a stipend and relocation expenses. Program applicants must be from the United States. Selected fellows must be prepared to live in the Washington, DC area during their fellowship year and to devote themselves full-time to the fellowship.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS:

Applicants should submit a letter between 2 and 4 pages stating their interest and accomplishments to date, and what they hope to do with the knowledge and experience gained from the fellowship. They should also attach either a résumé or a summary of their involvement in the field, and three letters of support from people familiar with their work. Please direct any questions about the application process to Steven Eidelman at 302-831-2574. Applications should show the candidate’s name, address, telephone number(s) and e-mail address on the first page. The preferred method of sending application letters and résumés is via e-mail attachment (i.e. not in the body of the e-mail) to Steve Eidelman at sme@udel.edu Applicants may follow up with hard copies via regular mail if they wish. Letters of support are also encouraged via e-mail but a hard copy on letterhead with the supporter’s signature must follow in the mail. Applications must be sent to the Foundation’s office by September 15, 2006.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible, since a postmark of September 15 is the absolute deadline for the receipt of completed applications. Any applications that are still incomplete or postmarked after the deadline will not be considered. The Fellowship starting date will be negotiated with the successful applicant, but is expected to begin in January of 2007. Finalists will be invited to Washington to be interviewed by a distinguished panel of Public Policy experts.

Address letters of application to:

MRS. EUNICE KENNEDY SHRIVER
The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation
1133 19th Street NW, 12th Floor

Washington, DC 20036

ATTENTION: Professional Public Policy Fellowship Program

By Laurel Rosenhall -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:29 pm PST Thursday, January 19, 2006

Approximately 25,000 California high school students with disabilities in this year's graduating class likely will be exempt from passing the state's exit exam under an agreement announced Thursday by leaders of the Legislature, state Department of Education and the governor's education office.

After several weeks of negotiation, officials agreed to put a bill by Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles, on a fast track that will free high school seniors in special education from passing the controversial math and English exam that is a graduation requirement this year for the first time.

Alan Bersin, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's secretary of education, said he expects the governor to sign the bill. The move will settle one piece of a five-year-old lawsuit against the state alleging that students with disabilities can't be required to pass the exit exam because they have not been taught the material on the test.

Melissa Kasnitz, an attorney for the disability-rights group that brought the suit, said she supports the legislation as a solution for this year's graduating class. But she said it does nothing to settle the entire lawsuit, which also seeks changes for students with disabilities in future classes

EPA To Allow Pesticide Testing on Orphans and Mentally Handicapped Children

TAKE ACTION NOW

web site contact to voice your concern

Special Education Seminar

The Area Board in conjunction with the Supported Life Conference will conduct a comprehensive training in Special Education and the changing laws

A free CD of the training manual will be available for those attending the seminar.

Saturday, October7,2006

For more information and to register please contact the Area Board III office

916.324.7426

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Effective July1,2005 The Office of Administrative Hearings will conduct the mediations under the Lanterman Act for all Regional Centers.

DDS Calendar Clerk

Office of Administrative Hearings

560 J Street, Suite 300

Sacramento, California 95814

Fax No. 916.341.0622

The OAH web-site calendar is located at www.oah.gds.ca.gov

or contact DDS Calendar Clerk at 916.323.0622

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California Disability Community Action Nertwork

Next Townhall Telemeetings

YOUR Voice Needs To Be Heard !

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Give Us Your Opinion

www.dscservice.com/scdd

From......The Department of Finance

View - Summary Budget Data

2006-07 Proposed Budget

2006-07Budget Data - Department of Developmental Services

2006-07 State Council Budget Data

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News On Parental Co-pay

Learn more about the potential cost to YOU when using

Regional Center Services

Read the regulations regarding Parental Co-pay from the Department of Developmental Services

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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

House / senate Conference Committee Passes IDEA Compromise

Biggest changes since 1975 - Call your Federal legislator TODAY

George Miller

Lynn Woosey

Both members are on the Conference Committee

Update 9/27/04

Governor Signs Executive Order S-18-04

Olmstead

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September 30 - Deadline

The Governor has less than 10 days to sign, veto or allow a bill to become law without his signature

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Governor Approves Early Intervention

Approved by Governor 9/10/04

AB 2909 Early Intervention for Deaf/Hard of Hearing:

Requires the DOE to conduct a study of current methods of providing special instruction and other services to infants and toddlers who are deaf and hard of hearing, under the California Early Intervention Services Act and to report findings to the Legislature by January 1, 2006.
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.Child Care Proposal....from the Child Development Policy Institute
The proposed 2004-05 budget contains $2.37 billion to provide child care services to CalWORKSs and former CalWORKs recipients, as well as the working poor.The reforms propsed would (1) limit eligibility, (2) increase costs to families, (3) limit the anount of time families can receive care, and (4) decrease the reimbursement rates to providers.
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GRANTS ALERT:

Education, Aging, Rural, Community

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Parental Co-Payment Issue
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From The Desk of - Families for Early Autism Treatment (FEAT)

Unfairly targets the autism population, since more than 80% of autism cases are under 20 years of age
Dramatically impacts net income, adding additional burdens to families that already have very high costs related to the disabilities of their children
Effectively eliminates most services to the autism population
Children will go untreated, resulting in much higher long term costs to the state.
Destroys the young market place in the only treatment scientifically proven effective, Intensive Behavioral Interventions
Is likely to have a substantially higher implementation cost than previously thought, which may not cover its expenses.

For Further Information Regarding Parental Co-Payment
Assembly Bill 1821 - Introduced by Assmbly Member Cohn
Would amend Section 4620.2 of the Welfare and Institutions Code to require DDS to implement the copayment system commencing with the 2004-05 fiscal year.
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http://www.assembly.ca.gov/

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Special Education

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Community Based Services/Supports