April 2011
Helping
People with Disabilities Live in their Communities
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(CMS) proposed rules under Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that would
give states new flexibility for programs to help people with disabilities
choose to live in community settings rather than in institutions. The
proposed rules reduce administrative barriers for states seeking to help
multiple populations, which may include people with developmental
disabilities. They will also allow individuals to participate in the
design of their own of services, including personal care and respite services
for caregivers. “These long awaited rules will help people living with
disabilities realize the promise of the ADA to live in the least restrictive
environments possible for them—like their own homes,” said Henry Claypool,
director of the Office on Disability
at the United States Department of Health
& Human Services. “With these new tools as well as incentives
included in the Affordable Care Act, states working closely with advocacy
groups, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders, can more easily develop
effective plans to improve options for people with disabilities.” The
proposed rule, CMS-2296-P, can be found at: http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/04/15/2011-9116/medicaid-program-home-and-community-based-services-hcbs-waivers.
President
Obama's Budget Framework for 2012
Major goals in a Fact Sheet released by the White House include:
deficit reduction of $4T in 12 years or less; a balance between spending cuts
and tax reform; opposition to extension of tax cuts from the Bush
Administration; additional funding for education, energy innovation and
infrastructure; reductions on security spending; and, new reforms aimed at
reducing the growth of health care spending. Further details of the
President's framework can be found on the White House website. NACBHDD and OACB will monitor the federal budget with a focus on Medicaid
related items as well as the Affordable Care Act. Specific to Medicaid,
the President proposes to reform federal / state partnerships by promoting
simplicity, efficiency and accountability.
Human
Resources
Congress is eyeing repeal of some restrictions on Flexible Spending
Accounts (FSA). Requiring a
prescription for over-the-counter drug purchases that are reimbursable is a
good bet to be repealed. The
provision garners broad criticism, both from the patients irked by having to
make and pay for special visits to the doctor, as well as by the physicians who
spend time on unnecessary patient visits.
Lifting the cap on FSA contributions is not going to occur. In fact, a new $2,500 limit goes into
effect in 2013.
Federal Budget
It appears likely the United
States will start federal fiscal 2012 (October 1, 2011) without a budget in
place. A replay of this year’s
short-term fixes and shutdown threats is in the cards, in part because of
resentment from the recent showdown.
The next budget will be linked to future deficit reduction ideas: tax
changes; overhauling Medicaid; and, other big-ticket items. Many deficit-cutting steps are years
away, with no specifics until 2013.
Lawmakers on the ballot next year are in no hurry to cast tough votes
sooner.
The Republican budget plan that is
making headlines is going nowhere.
That’s not a political judgment; it’s merely reality in this political
environment of divided control in Congress
and in an era of poisoned partisanship.
Still, the sweeping plan will be pivotal in the outcome of the 2012
elections. How voters respond to
it will help determine whether President Obama will win a second term in the
White House and whether Republicans can control both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
White House
Autism Awareness Month
George Jesien, Executive Director
of the Association of University Centers
on Disabilities (AUCD), joined
other national organized leaders, researchers and Administration officials,
that were invited to the White House on April 25th to discuss
current issues related to autism.
The event was scheduled as part of Autism Awareness Month. President Obama’s
Senior Advisor, Valerie Jarrett, and Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius,
addressed the participants. During
her statement, Advisor Jarrett stated the Administration’s support for the
reauthorization of the Combating Autism Act and for the ongoing work of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. Secretary Sebelius also stated support
for the reauthorization and for continuing to enhance the education of health
professionals and research to develop evidence-based interventions.
Evidence-Based
Policymaking
In 2010, the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities
Services (NASDDDS) and AUCD
entered into a partnership to develop products and activities that would
promote evidence-based policymaking.
NASDDDS defines evidence-based
policy as “the responsible application of the best available evidence in the
design, administration and reform of programs, services and supports in a
manner consistent with achieving independence, productivity, inclusion and
self-determination for individuals with developmental disabilities” (NASDDDS Research Committee, 2009). By working together AUCD and NASDDDS are seeking to establish a stronger foundation of knowledge
to fulfill commitments in federal laws and court cases, and parallel statements
within the states to achieve national goals for people with intellectual and
developmental disabilities.
National Perspective is a publication of the
Ohio Association of County Boards of DD, designed to update
Association members on national and federal issues of interest.
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