Guest guest Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Please read below and contact the Senators and Representatives listed at the end of this email and tell them (in your own words) why the cuts recommended by APD will be devastating Please thank them for their continued support. Action Alert – Appropriations Senate and House appropriation committees are considering cuts in health and human services programs that could result in as much as a 15% reduction in Home and Community Based Waiver services. The initial decisions for cutting programs are expected by March 12, 2010. Background: The process of looking for cuts is part of the legislature’s attempt to cope with revenue shortfalls. The work being done by the House is somewhat encouraging because the members of the Health Care Appropriations Committee have ranked services to people with developmental disabilities as one of the five top services to be preserved. However, how this translates into cuts is not yet known and no program may end up being exempt from reductions. The Senate is approaching the process of cutting differently. Like the House, they have asked state agencies to present their recommendations on cuts. However, the process is moving more slowly and members have not been openly polled. The cuts that have been recommended by the Agency for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (APD) include: APD Recommended Cut $ Amount (in Millions) 1. Cap services in Tier 1 to $120,000 12.8 2. Eliminate behavior assistance services in standard & behaviorally focused group homes 4.0 Reduce Consumer Directed Care Plus (CDC+) by 10% 3.3 Eliminate ADT & other services & create a flexible benefit service 113.9 Consolidate durable & consumable medical equip. 0.9 Other reductions 2.6 The elimination of Adult Day Training (ADT) and the other services grouped with it (item 4) represents a 62% cut for these services. The other services include respite care, supported employment, supported living, and companion services. If enacted, this cut will affect 24,000 of the 29,000 people now being served under the waiver. Despite the creation of a flexible benefit service that individuals, parents and guardians can use to continue some of these services, the reality is that there will be only 38% of the money originally devoted to these services left to pay for them. Putting a cap on Tier One will effectively force some individuals into residential services and the elimination of behavioral assistance will affect some group homes dramatically, threatening their existence. Action Needed Contact the Senators and Representatives listed below and tell them (in your own words) why the cuts recommended by APD will devastating. Please thank them for their continued support. Senators – Health & Human Services Appropriations Committee First Name Last Name District City District Phone Tallahassee Phone Email Address Don Gaetz Destin gaetz.don.web@... Mike Haridopolos Melbourne haridopolos.mike.web@... Joe Negron Palm City negron.joe.web@... Durell Peaden, Jr. Crestview peaden.durell.web@... Nan Rich Sunrise rich.nan.web@... Eleanor Sobel Hollywood sobel.eleanor.web@... House Members – Health Care Appropriations Committee First Name Last Name District City District Phone Tallahassee Phone Email Address Holiday tom.anderson@... Chestnut Gainesville charles.chestnut@... Carl J. Domino Juno Beach carl.domino@... Clay Ford Pensacola clay.ford@... Jim Frishe Belleair Bluffs james.frishe@... Grimsley Sebring denise.grimsley@... Ed Homan Temple Terrace ed.homan@... Matt Hudson Naples matt.hudson@... Nehr Tarpon Springs peter.nehr@... L. Roberson (K) Port Charlotte ken.roberson@... Yolly Roberson (Y) N. Miami Beach yolly.roberson@... Elaine Schwartz Hollywood elaine.schwartz@... Skidmore Boca Raton kelly.skidmore@... Nick (N) Fort Myers nick.thompson@... Regards, Ven Sequenzia President Autism Society of America State of Florida Chapter Regards, Ven Sequenzia President Autism Society of America State of Florida Chapter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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