IMPORTANT! Contact Governor to Veto Rate Reduction

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Action Alert 11 – Rate Reduction Veto Request

By Kingsley Ross

The General Appropriation Act for FY 2011 contains a 2.5% provider rate reduction for group home, adult day training and other key services to people with developmental disabilities (DD). The Governor needs to veto this language to protect services to the state’s most fragile populations.

Background:

· The Legislature acted to protect a number of key services but the Appropriations Act still calls for a 2.5% rate reduction for key services.

· Many providers will have little choice but to lay off employees (or not fill positions). This will inevitably lead to a reduction in the quality of services provided to people with DD.

· For the Governor to veto this cut, he must veto the proviso language that enacted it in line item 242. This language is provided below for you information.

Funds in Specific Appropriation 242 reflect a reduction of $6,465,891 from the General Revenue Fund and $10,346,098 from the Operations and Maintenance Trust Fund as a result of reducing provider rates by 2.5 percent, effective July 1, 2010. Personal Care Assistance, transportation, waiver support coordination, durable medical equipment, consumable medical supplies, and environmental and home accessibility services are specifically excluded from this reduction target. The agency shall amend provider contracts, cost plans and rules as necessary to achieve this recurring reduction.

Action Needed. As soon as possible call and email Gov. Charlie Crist at the contacts below. Ask him to please veto proviso language in line item 242 that cuts provider rates.

His contact information is as follows:

Tallahassee (8 a.m. – 5 p.m. EDST; an operator will log your request and ask if you want to leave your name);

charlie.crist@... (you will receive an automatic email reply). Be sure to include in the subject line the phase “Please veto proviso language in line item 242 that cuts provider ratesâ€

We only have a few days to make an impact. Please act now.

Regards,

Ven Sequenzia

President

Autism Society of America

State of Florida Chapter