VERY IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ NOW!!!

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URGENT ACTION NEEDED TO REVERSE FUNDING CUTS...NOW!!!!ADVOCATES,I AM IN TALLAHASSEE NOW AND THE BUDGET IS ON THE GOVERNOR'S DESK. MANY OF YOU ARE ALREADY BEING TOLD THAT YOUR SERVICES WILL BE CUT! OVER $18 MILLION DOLLARS TO THE WAIVER SERVICES AND A 2.5% RATE REDUCTION. AND WE STILL HAVE OVER 20,000 PEOPLE ON THE WAITING LIST!!!WE CAN STOP THIS IF WE ASK THE GOVERNOR TO VETO THESE CUTS. WE NEED THOUSANDS OF EMAILS TO BE SENT TO THE GOVERNOR, NOW!!!HERE IS THE LINK, IT WILL ONLY TAKE A FEW SECONDS. PLEASE SEND IT TO YOUR WHOLE FAMILY AND ALL YOUR FRIENDS IN FLORIDA!!! BUT YOU MUST ACT NOW!http://www.ffddnews.com/contact-your-legislator.phpPLEASE TAKE ACTION NOW!!!THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY. As of July 1, APD will have

about $44 million fewer dollars to spend for DD waiver services. To manage the reduction, APD will have to either reduce provider rates, reduce the services individuals receive, or both. Restoration of the federal stimulus FMAP dollars will resolve the issue. Some

of the cuts include: · An $18,396,571 reduction was taken in the Home and

Community Based Services waivers to eliminate one-time funding. These funds could be used to serve 500 individuals.

· A

2.5% rate reduction in waiver services (except personal care assistance, transportation, support coordination, durable medical equipment, consumable medical supplies, and environmental and home accessibility services) is intended to save $16.8 million in DD Waiver Services programs. This cut could mean a

loss of up to 500 jobs for individuals earning an average of $9 per hour since the funds pay for direct care staff that serve individuals with developmental disabilities. Agencies are already adjusting their cost sharing ratios for insurance premiums from 75-80% to 50% and reducing or eliminating other benefits. The cut places agencies in the position of not being able to maintain standards that promote quality of care for individuals served.

To veto the cuts, Governor must eliminate the proviso language beginning on Line Item #242 of HB 5303. K. Goldstein Goldstein Consulting, IncEducation - Health & Human Services - State & Local Government - Business