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Legislation Update 4/9/09
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.
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