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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
JUNE, 2009
Although we are tracking bills of interest to consumers
and providers, the main concern of everyone is the FY 2010 DES/DDD
Budget.
BOTH THE LEGISLATIVE AND GOVERNOR’S FY 2010 BUDGETS INCLUDE 10%
REIMBURSEMENT RATE CUTS. These rate cuts are already in effect,
as of May 25. The reductions were taken against rates that are two
years old, and which have been shown, by DES’ own rate consultants,
to be an average of 6% under actual cost, as of last year.
This means that the rates are about 18% under the actual costs
incurred to provide the services.
AAPPD providers want to do their part to help the State in this time
of fiscal crisis. They have cut salaries, employee benefits,
furloughed employees, reduced community outings, and are scrimping
wherever possible, but cannot afford more than a 5% reduction and
meet all of the State’s requirements. This will leave them funded at
only 87% of the cost of providing the service. The other AHCCCS
populations are only being cut 5%.
STATE-ONLY SERVICES (FOR NON-TITLE 19 CLIENTS) ARE CUT AT LEAST
15% IN THE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET. The budget also contains a
lump-sum reduction to DES, some of which is expected to be allocated
to other state-only services. Depending on this allocation,
state-only services could be wiped out completely.
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. For family members – tell them how you expect the cuts to affect
your family. If you are not sure, contact your provider and ask
them. If you need more information, please call our office at (480)
557-8445.
3. Call Governor Jan Brewer’s Office at (602) 542-4331 and ask her
to save our system. Providers cannot safely deliver services for 82%
of the actual cost. Ask the Governor 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.
LEGISLATIVE TRAINING
EVENT 4/28/09
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