Heidi has a BS in Civil Engineering from Purdue. After the birth of her son Jacob, she elected to stay home to ensure his needs were met. Heidi is very involved in many organizations;last year she was appointed by the Governorās office to be on 3 Medicaid Reform committees, looking at overhauling the entire Medicaid system.Heidi currently has an advocacy distribution list of over 2,500 members to promote awareness of the advocacy issues that affect children and adults w/ disabilities & empower parents. The session is finally over!
In the final budget, the House and Senate agreed to 1,500 Medicaid waiver services for the MRWP and 152 for the ICWP slots! They also included in the DCH's budget a directive for DCH to research a Medicaid Buy-In initiative for Georgia. This real success reflects the many months of hard work and effort from individuals like yourself all across Georgia.
For all the details, go to http://aaddpolitical.blogspot.com/
Now is the time to send a note of thanks to a few of the legislators that helped make this happen - again we have made this very easy for you.
Simply, go to http://www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/actionalert.html and click! Thank you for all you are doing and congratulations!!
Dave Blanchard
http://www.unlockthewaitinglists.com
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2. I was just informed that Mark Trail will not be attending the Medicaid forum to take place on April 8th in Royston, GA. Nancy Durden (Acting Director for Recipient and 3rd Party Services from the DCH) will be attending on Mark's behalf. Just wanted you to have the latest information.
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3. Do to your overwhelming thank you's to Rosemary Taylor - Editor of the John's Creek Herald and contributing reporter to the Revue and News newspapers, they plan on having a few your letters that were submitted to her in the next weeks newspaper. Thank you so much for continuing the communication and keeping the issue alive....The more the community understands the issues associated with our families, the better!
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4. Many of you have asked if the $7.6 million that was set aside for families that have been denied the Katie Beckett Waiver has been made available yet......It is my understanding at this point they are looking at the best way to have a foundation get up and running quickly so the money will be made available very soon. As soon as I hear of any updates, I will let you know.
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5. Here is a great summary of some of the issues from this legislative session prepared by Pat Nobbie of Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) "Moving Forward": (Heidi's Note: I did delete some of the issues due to the length of the email. I thought this would be the issues you would be most interested in)
The legislative session ended last night at midnight, and overall it was a very productive year for people with developmental and physical disabilities in
In the DCH 06 budget:
Add 152 slots to the Independent Care Waiver Program (ICWP) $3,286,957 state $8,535,333 total
***By December 1, 2006, the department shall conduct an analysis of Medicaid Buy-In programs operational in other states and shall recommend a cost-effective Medicaid Buy-In program that would allow working Georgians with disabilities to receive healthcare through Medicaid.***
ITEMS TO WATCH:
Reduce Medicaid costs generated in the Aged, Blind and Disabled populations through the provision of better business practices to ensure that the member receives the right services, at the right time, and the right cost. CC: Reduce Medicaid Benefit costs by implementing an Administrative Services Organization model as a gatekeeper. State: $25,038,336 Total $65,017,751 (Heidi's Note: This is something we are going to have to really watch and see what is recommened)
In the DHR 06 budget:
Annualize the cost of the 925 waiver slots on the MR/DD Waiting List, adults $2,648,987 state $6,878,700 total
Annualize the cost of the 925 waiver slots on the MR/DD Waiting List, children $548,430 state $1,424,123 total
Add 750 slots for consumers on the MR/DD Waiting list (total 1500 slots, 6 months funding, adult share) $9,619,528 state $21,837,981 total
Add 750 slots for consumers on the MR/DD Waiting list (total 1500 slots, 6 months funding, childrens share) $1,970,266 state $4,472,842 total
ITEM TO WATCH:
Recognize efficiencies within the Department of Human Resources through the implementation of an Administrative Services Organization provided by the Department of Community Health. State ($500,519)
Please call or write the legislators on the Appropriations Subcommittees and full committees on Appropriations both House and Senate to THANK them for their commitment to funding for people with disabilities!
| · DHR Fiscal Year 2007 Budget | |||
| Olmstead - Fund 1500 MR/DD slots to Unlock the Waiting Lists; Adult services, $9,993472; Child and adolescent services, $2,046,857. State funds: $12,040,329 Total funds: $25,148,408 (Senate: Fund 1550 Services for 6 months, state funds $11,598,794: Senate added 1500 MRWP waiver services at 12 months of funding $24,147,199 state funds) · DCH Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Reduce Medicaid benefit costs by implementing am Administrative Services Organization model as a gatekeeper and manager of services. House: $24,847,200 Senate: $26,229,750Total $39,674,223 $35,926,380 Add 152 slots to the Independent Care Waiver Program (ICWP) $3,286,957 state $8,535,333 total (Senate, 10 slots annualized from FY 2006 budget, and 142 new slots) Increase reimbursement for Speech Therapy visits. State, $346,590 Total funds $553,410 (Heidi's Note: This is great news for our Medicaid speech providers!) Provide Dental coverage for Medicaid eligible pregnant women (designated codes) State, $2,500,000 Total funds $6,491,820 | |||
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Have a safe and wonderful Spring Break. Please note: I will not have access to e-mail next week. United....WE Will Make A Difference!
Sincerely, Heidi
--
Heidi J. Moore
(Proud Mother to Jacob - 6 years old with Down syndrome & Jared - 4 years old)
"Help The Children Now, So They Can Help Themselves Later!"
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