Cure Autism Now and Autism Speak

Autism Speaks Co-founders Bob and Suzanne Wright Featured in the TIME 100 List of the Most Influential People in the World

A variety of Vanderbilt University experts are available for interviews on autism. The United Nations designated April 2 World Autism Day in November 2007.

New Medicaid Regulations

The Problem:

The federal Department of Health and Human Services recently issued new Medicaid regulations concerning the implementation of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005/2006. The new regulations go well beyond the intent of the legislation and authorize deep cuts in the Medicaid program. The proposed cuts to the program are estimated to total $15 Billion-$21 Billion over the next five years.

In addition to the reduction in available federal funding, the regulations provide for startling program changes that will cause significant disruptions and hardships on vulnerable populations, particularly families of children and youth with special health care needs. Many of the services being cut in these regulations are the same services families of children and youth desperately seek when trying to become or stay eligible for the Medicaid program. Without any action by the US Congress, these regulations will be enforceable on June 30, 2008.

Overview of Changes:

1) Eliminates funding for outreach and enrollment activities in Medicaid by school personnel; Additionally, it will eliminate a school’s ability to apply for reimbursement for transportation costs associated with bringing Medicaid eligible children and youth to the school to receive school-based health services.

2) Limits the rehabilitative services covered by Medicaid if it can not be proven that the services will improve the condition (not maintaining function or preventing further complications) including services related to mental health or developmental disabilities.

3) Further cutbacks in targeted case managements funding. Case management has already been significantly cut through previous legislative efforts. These regulations further reduce federal funding.

4) Hospital-costs cutbacks. Hospitals will receive less reimbursement for costs associated with treating Medicaid patients.

Action Needed: Please contact your state’s Senators and your Representative and request their support of Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act (HR 5445) introduced by Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) and Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA). This bill is needed to stop/postpone the new Medicaid regulations because it will hurt vulnerable populations particularly children and youth with special health care needs. A companion bill is expected to be introduced by Senator Rockefeller (D-WV) soon. Visit the Family Voices Legislative Action Center: http://capwiz.com/familyvoices/home/ to let your voice count about the new Medicaid Regulations and their impact on children and youth with special health care needs. If you have any additional questions, please contact Julie Beckett (waivermom@earthlink.net; 319-365-0227) or Janis Connallon (jlambconn@comcast.net; 510-232-7765).

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