Legislation of Interest

Although we are tracking bills of interest to families, the main concern of everyone is the FY 2009 and FY 2010 DES/DDD Budgets.   

FY 2009 BUDGET: In response to reductions in services and rates implemented by DDD, AAPPD, the DD provider association, filed for injunctive relief in Superior Court, and was granted the injunction.  The State filed for a stay of the injunction in both Superior Court and the Court of Appeals, and was denied in both.  The State is currently appealing the injunction.

FY 2010 BUDGET: brings the prospect of similar cuts in both the population served and the rates paid for services.  Although nothing is finalized yet, there is a document on the DES Website that seems to indicate a 5% additional cut in funding to the agency, would result in loss of some services to the “state-only” population and a service rate reduction of 10%.  Our vulnerable children will be hurt.

It is important to note that the cost study completed recently in anticipation of “rebasing” the published rates shows, by our best guesses at service utilization, that current rates are 15% below the actual cost of providing the service.  It is also important to note that providers believe there are expenses not included in the reimbursement rates that are required by contract and policy.  In addition, there is no profit margin included in the rates.  A 10% reduction would devastate the service delivery system in Arizona.

ACTION REQUIRED:

1. Write to your legislators (find them at http://www.azleg.gov/alisStaticPages/HowToContactMember.asp) and let them know our fragile system cannot withstand these cuts.  The health and safety of DDD’s clients are at risk.

2. Call Governor Jan Brewer’s Office at (602) 542-4331 and ask her to use federal stimulus dollars to ensure our system is not crippled.  Congress gave every state increased matching dollars for Medicaid (which includes ALTCS) and it needs to be used to keep our system functioning safely.