March 2012 News (11)

The following information about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was sent out by the US Dept of Health and Human Services (HHS) Intergovernmental and External Affairs:

Update from HHS on Anniversary Week:

We here in HHS Intergovernmental and External Affairs have some new updates and resources to share with you as you and your organization prepare for the week-long celebration of the ACA 2nd Anniversary.

ACA State-by-State…

Public Comments on Personal Care Provider Travel Rate Cuts - Due 3/30/12

Agencies providing Medicaid personal care services receive reimbursement for the time it takes direct service workers to travel to people’s homes.

The Department of Health Services (DHS) plans to reduce the reimbursement for travel on April 1, 2012. The reduction in travel reimbursement rates could impact people receiving services because some agencies anticipate that they will…

The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation

Public Policy Fellowship Program 2012-2013

The application deadline for the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation Public Policy Fellowship Program is extended to April 30, 2012.

The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation is seeking exemplary professionals and/or family members of…

Hello,

Here's an opportunity for, well, who knows!!!

City of Madison Community Development Process

Enjoy your day,

Cheryl

WisPACT, Inc. was created in 2003 as a nonprofit organization to create and manage pooled and community Special Needs Trusts for the benefit of individuals with disabilities. It originated from a collaborative effort among ARC Wisconsin, NAMI Wisconsin, Inc., the Wisconsin State Bar- Elder Law Section and the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Association. WisPACT currently serves more than 1,600 beneficiaries throughout the state of Wisconsin.…

Although we didn't have many people respond to this question, they were completely unanimous in their responses - YES!  And we saw great results last week in the Wisconsin state legislature, as they passed the bill lifting the caps on Family Care and IRIS.  That bill, with an amendment, was signed into law this past Monday by Gov. Walker.  We'll soon have more information on this bill, as well as others that were passed and defeated last week.

Updated 3/15/12 - Thanks again to DAWN for this timely update!

Bills on to the Governor

When dedicated advocates like you work hard, change happens! Three bills about issues extremely important to the disability community passed both the Assembly and Senate. These bills will be sent to Governor Walker for his signature:

Lifting the caps on enrollment to the Family Care, IRIS, PACE, and Partnership programs. The…

3/8/12

The state Assembly postponed a vote yesterday on the bills lifting the Family Care/IRIS caps until Tuesday, March 13. Next week is the final week the Assembly and Senate will be in session for the rest of the entire year. If these bills don’t pass next week, the caps will remain in place until at least 2013.

Since both Assembly Bill 477 and Senate Bill 380 were amended by the Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care, both houses must pass the bills by next…

Let Your Voice Be Heard!  

DHS Town Hall Meetings: Long-Term Care Sustainability Plan

The Department of Health Services (DHS) will hold a series of town hall meetings. DHS is seeking input from consumers, community partners, and providers on its…

There are lots of ways that SDS can be used.  When we asked this question, your answers were spread out pretty evenly over the choices that were given. 

One answer that written in on the poll captures it best - With SDS, you get what you need to live your life the way you choose.…

Our recent poll asked about our hopes and dreams.  Looking at your responses, we can see that other people play an important role.  We want to have friends in our lives.  We also want to give to others.... Helping each other was as important as having friends.  

As you consider your life (or the lives of the people you support), think about how your actions are helping you to make these dreams come true.…