Housing Action Illinois’ Webinar Series! - Medicaid Reform - May 1, 2012 at 10:30 a.m - RSVP

Medicaid Reform
Tuesday, May 1 at 10:30 a.m.

UNDERSTANDING MEDICAID REFORM

Join us on May 1 at 10:30am while Amber Smock of Access Living helps you understand Medicaid Reform. She'll be discussing the Keep Illinois Strong principles, identifying who the key decision makers influencing Medicaid Reform are, and showing you how you can join current advocacy efforts.

Last change to register!

Visit http://www.housingactionil.org/events
For more info, contact Rachelle Born at rachelle@housingactionil.org
or Gianna Baker at gianna@housingactionil.org.

Sioux City Journal - OUR OPINION: We must stop bullying. It starts here. And it starts now. | April 22, 2012

Iowa paper devotes front page to fighting bullying

By TIMBERLY ROSS | Associated Press | April 22, 2012


In a rare and forceful act of advocacy, an Iowa newspaper devoted the entire front page of its Sunday edition to an anti-bullying editorial after a gay teen committed suicide.

Relatives have said 14-year-old Kenneth Weishuhn Jr. suffered intense harassment, including threatening cellphone calls and nasty comments posted online, after coming out to family and friends about a month ago. He died April 15 from what the local sheriff's office described only as a "self-inflicted injury."

The Sioux City Journal's front-page opinion piece calls on the community to be pro-active in stopping bullying and urges members to learn more about the problem by seeing the acclaimed new film, "Bully," which documents the harassment of a Sioux City middle school student. It notes that while many students are targeted for being gay, "we have learned a bully needs no reason to strike."

"In Kenneth's case, the warnings were everywhere," the editorial said. "We saw it happen in other communities, now it has hit home. Undoubtedly, it wasn't the first life lost to bullying here, but we can strive to make it the last.

Editor Mitch Pugh said the newspaper has run front-page editorials before but has never devoted the entire page to one.

"A lot of newspapers shy away from putting editorials on the front page, but we feel we have to be a strong advocate for our community," he said. "And if we don't do that, we're not sure who else is."

Weishuhn's mother, Jeannie Chambers, told the Journal last week that she and the rest of the family knew he was being harassed but didn't realize the extent of the bullying. His sister told a local television station that Weishuhn, a freshman, had many friends and was popular at South O'Brien High School in Paullina until he came out. Then students turned on him.

Weishuhn's family couldn't immediately be reached Sunday by The Associated Press.

Pugh said the newspaper didn't consult the family before printing the editorial.

"This was a bigger issue than one person," he said.

Andy Marra, a spokesman for the national anti-bullying group GLSEN, said the Journal's decision makes "complete sense."

"Public education is absolutely vital to addressing bullying and harassment in schools," he said, adding that community pressure could push schools to do more.

####

OUR OPINION: We must stop bullying. It starts here. And it starts now.



By the Journal editorial board Sioux City Journal | Posted: Sunday, April 22, 2012

Siouxland lost a young life to a senseless, shameful tragedy last week. By all accounts, Kenneth Weishuhn was a kind-hearted, fun-loving teenage boy, always looking to make others smile. But when the South O'Brien High School 14-year-old told friends he was gay, the harassment and bullying began. It didn't let up until he took his own life.

Sadly, Kenneth's story is far from unique. Boys and girls across Iowa and beyond are targeted every day. In this case sexual orientation appears to have played a role, but we have learned a bully needs no reason to strike. No sense can be made of these actions.

Now our community and region must face this stark reality: We are all to blame. We have not done enough. Not nearly enough.

This is not a failure of one group of kids, one school, one town, one county or one geographic area. Rather, it exposes a fundamental flaw in our society, one that has deep-seated roots. Until now, it has been too difficult, inconvenient -- maybe even painful -- to address. But we can't keep looking away.

In Kenneth's case, the warnings were everywhere. We saw it happen in other communities, now it has hit home. Undoubtedly, it wasn't the first life lost to bullying here, but we can strive to make it the last.

The documentary "Bully," which depicts the bullying of an East Middle School student, opened in Sioux City on Friday. We urge everyone to see it. At its core, it is a heart-breaking tale of how far we have yet to go. Despite its award-winning, proactive policies, we see there is still much work to be done in Sioux City schools.

Superintendent Paul Gausman is absolutely correct when he says "it takes all of us to solve the problem." But schools must be at the forefront of our battle against bullying.

Sioux City must continue to strengthen its resolve and its policies. Clearly, South O'Brien High School needs to alter its approach. We urge Superintendent Dan Moore to rethink his stance that "we have all the things in place to deal with it." It should be evident that is simply not the case.

South O'Brien isn't the only school that needs help. A Journal Des Moines bureau report last year demonstrated that too many schools don't take bullying seriously. According to that report, Iowa school districts, on average, reported less than 2 percent of their students had been bullied in any given year since the state passed its anti-bullying law in 2007. That statistic belies the actual depth of this problem, and in response the Iowa Department of Education will implement a more comprehensive anti-bullying and harassment policy in the 2012-13 school year.

But as Gausman and Nate Monson, director of Iowa Safe Schools, are quick to remind us, this is more than a school problem. If we want to eradicate bullying in our community, we can't rely on schools alone.

We need to support local agencies like the Waitt Institute for Violence Prevention and national efforts like the one described at stopbullying.gov. Bullying takes many forms, some of them - Internet, Facebook, cell phone - more subtle than others. Parents should monitor the cell phone and Internet usage of their children. All public and private institutions need to do more to demonstrate that bullying is simply unacceptable in our workplaces and in our homes. We need to educate ourselves and others.

Some in our community will say bullying is simply a part of life. If no one is physically hurt, they will say, what's the big deal? It's just boys being boys and girls being girls.

Those people are wrong, and they must be shouted down.

We must make it clear in our actions and our words that bullying will not be tolerated. Those of us in public life must be ever mindful of the words we choose, especially in the contentious political debates that have defined our modern times. More importantly, we must not be afraid to act.

How many times have each of us witnessed an act of bullying and said little or nothing? After all, it wasn't our responsibility. A teacher or an official of some kind should step in. If our kid wasn't involved, we figured, it's none of our business.

Try to imagine explaining that rationale to the mother of Kenneth Weishuhn.

It is the business of all of us. More specifically, it is our responsibility. Our mandate.

If we're honest with ourselves, we will acknowledge our community has yet to view bullying in quite this way. It's well past time to do so.

Stand up. Be heard. And don't back down. Together, we can put a stop to bullying.

.Copyright 2012 Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed

Read more: http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/opinion/our-opinion-we-must-stop-bullying-it-starts-here-and/article_adf6bdae-590f-5021-9eee-398dd2c13a22.html#ixzz1spAp8hIp

Veterans Affairs (VA) to Increase Mental Health Staff by 1,900 | April, 21, 2012

PRESS RELESS

Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

VA to Increase Mental Health Staff by 1,900
April 19, 2012

WASHINGTON –Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki today announced that the department would add approximately 1,600 mental health clinicians – to include nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers as well as nearly 300 support staff to its existing workforce of 20,590 mental health staff as part of an ongoing review of mental health operations.

“As the tide of war recedes, we have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to anticipate the needs of returning Veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “History shows that the costs of war will continue to grow for a decade or more after the operational missions in Iraq and Afghanistan have ended. As more Veterans return home, we must ensure that all Veterans have access to quality mental health care.”

VA’s ongoing comprehensive review of mental health operations has indicated that some VA facilities require more mental health staff to serve the growing needs of Veterans. VA is moving quickly to address this top priority. Based on this model for team delivery of outpatient mental health services, plus growth needs for the Veterans Crisis Line and anticipated increase in Compensation and Pension/Integrated Disability Evaluation System exams, VA projected the additional need for 1,900 clinical and clerical mental health staff at this time. As these increases are implemented, VA will continue to assess staffing levels.

“Mental health services must be closely aligned with Veterans’ needs and fully integrated with health care facility operations,” said VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. Robert Petzel. “Improving access to mental health services will help support the current and future Veterans who depend on VA for these vital services.”

VA will allocate funds from the current budget to all 21 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) across the country this month to begin recruitment immediately. Under the leadership of President Obama and Secretary Shinseki, VA has devoted more people, programs,

and resources toward mental health services to serve the growing number of Veterans seeking mental health care from VA. Last year, VA provided specialty mental health services to 1.3 million Veterans. Since 2009, VA has increased the mental health care budget by 39 percent. Since 2007, VA has seen a 35 percent increase in the number of Veterans receiving mental health services, and a 41 percent increase in mental health staff.

VA has enhanced services by integrating mental health care into the primary care setting, developed an extensive suicide prevention program, and increased the number of Veterans Readjustment Counseling Centers (Vet Centers). VA’s Veteran Crisis Line has received more than 600,000 calls resulting in over 21,000 rescues of Veterans in immediate crisis.

“The mental health of America’s Veterans not only touches those of us at VA and the Department of Defense, but also families, friends, co-workers, and people in our communities,” said Petzel. “We ask that you urge Veterans in your communities to reach out and connect with VA services.”

To locate the nearest VA facility or Vet Center for enrollment and to get scheduled for care, Veterans can visit VA’s website at www.va.gov. Immediate help is available at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net or by calling the Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 (push 1) or texting 838255.

# http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2302

Supportive living facilities save state money - Illinois proposing cutting Supportive Living for seniors and people with disabilities| Apr 21, 2012

In the Spotlight

The recession has hit Illinois hard and left the state with a budget deficit that will take years to recover. Gov. Pat Quinn has stated that $2.7 billion needs to be carved from Medicaid spending in fiscal year 2013 to keep from going further in the hole. An idea being considered to rein in Medicaid costs is the elimination of 23 "optional" programs.

One program at risk is Supportive Living (SL), the Medicaid-supported model of affordable assisted living. Cuts to this program would be a huge mistake that would have dire consequences for seniors and the disabled living in these facilities, and for the overall financial recovery of the state.

There are currently 134 Supportive Living Facilities (SLFs) in Illinois, with 10,400 apartments in 73 counties operating under a Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services waiver, including two in Peoria - Courtyard Estates of Peoria and St. Francis Woods. Together, these two SLFs serve approximately 200 seniors.

SL is a community setting that provides apartment-style living with health and supportive services to seniors and persons with disabilities who might otherwise be in nursing homes. SL helps our seniors and the disabled and plays a big role in reducing the state's Medicaid costs.

How is that possible?

The answer is simple. SL Medicaid rates are set at 60 percent of nursing facility rates. The average Medicaid nursing home rate in Illinois is $120.63 per day. The average SL rate is only $72.38 per day. Additionally, just one 100-unit SLF in Peoria annually generates a substantial amount in taxes while creating up to 40 full-time jobs.

The governor made a commitment to assure residents throughout the state that the Supportive Living model will be supported. Now, this cost-saving and effective model is at risk of losing funding. It's imperative that our legislators recognize and support this valuable living option for seniors and those with disabilities. Programs like SL must be evaluated on how they save the state money and generate economic development, not just by how much they cost. There is a high demand from seniors and others who need affordable assisted living and this demand will continue to grow as our aging population surges, growing an estimated 7.8 percent by 2017, to more than 1.7 million seniors.

Turning our back on the SL program will end up costing the state far more money than it expects to save, further impacting Illinois' financial crisis, not to mention the lives of our senior and disabled populations.

Wayne Smallwood is the executive director of the Affordable Assisted Living Coalition, headquartered in Springfield.

The recession has hit Illinois hard and left the state with a budget deficit that will take years to recover. Gov. Pat Quinn has stated that $2.7 billion needs to be carved from Medicaid spending in fiscal year 2013 to keep from going further in the hole. An idea being considered to rein in Medicaid costs is the elimination of 23 "optional" programs.

One program at risk is Supportive Living (SL), the Medicaid-supported model of affordable assisted living. Cuts to this program would be a huge mistake that would have dire consequences for seniors and the disabled living in these facilities, and for the overall financial recovery of the state.
There are currently 134 Supportive Living Facilities (SLFs) in Illinois, with 10,400 apartments in 73 counties operating under a Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services waiver, including two in Peoria - Courtyard Estates of Peoria and St. Francis Woods. Together, these two SLFs serve approximately 200 seniors.

SL is a community setting that provides apartment-style living with health and supportive services to seniors and persons with disabilities who might otherwise be in nursing homes. SL helps our seniors and the disabled and plays a big role in reducing the state's Medicaid costs.
How is that possible?

The answer is simple. SL Medicaid rates are set at 60 percent of nursing facility rates. The average Medicaid nursing home rate in Illinois is $120.63 per day. The average SL rate is only $72.38 per day. Additionally, just one 100-unit SLF in Peoria annually generates a substantial amount in taxes while creating up to 40 full-time jobs.

The governor made a commitment to assure residents throughout the state that the Supportive Living model will be supported. Now, this cost-saving and effective model is at risk of losing funding. It's imperative that our legislators recognize and support this valuable living option for seniors and those with disabilities. Programs like SL must be evaluated on how they save the state money and generate economic development, not just by how much they cost. There is a high demand from seniors and others who need affordable assisted living and this demand will continue to grow as our aging population surges, growing an estimated 7.8 percent by 2017, to more than 1.7 million seniors.

Turning our back on the SL program will end up costing the state far more money than it expects to save, further impacting Illinois' financial crisis, not to mention the lives of our senior and disabled populations.

Wayne Smallwood is the executive director of the Affordable Assisted Living Coalition, headquartered in Springfield.

# As published by: pjstar.com | Peoria, IL | Apr 20, 2012

http://www.pjstar.com/opinion/spotlight/x513712761/In-the-Spotlight-Supportive-living-facilities-save-state-money

Murray Developmental Center future : Large crowd attends hearing on Apr 20, 2012 | Illinois

'Save Murray Center': Huge crowd gathers for hearing

BY BRIAN BRUEGGEMANN - News- BND.com

CENTRALIA -- A crowd consisting mostly of supporters of keeping open the Warren G. Murray Developmental Center filled the Centralia High School gym Friday afternoon for a hearing on whether the center should be closed.
Most in the crowd wore green T-shirts with "Save Murray Center" printed on them. They included family members of the Centralia center's roughly 275 residents, as well as employees and other supporters.
But there also were a few representatives from groups that advocate for people with disabilities, who said institutions are not the proper settings for such people.

The hearing began about 3:45 p.m. and ended about 9 p.m. About 80 witnesses -- elected officials from the region, advocates for people with disabilties, community members, employees of the center and others -- gave testimony to the state's Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. Some witnesses were not able to testify before the hearing ended.
The group will make a recommendation to the governor on whether the center should be closed, but the recommendation is only advisory.
Gov. Pat Quinn has proposed closing Murray Center and other state facilities as a cost-saving move. Quinn's staff also says people with developmental disabilities generally do better in so-called community-based care, rather than institutions.
Sen. James Clayborne, D-Belleville, who is the Senate majority leader, gave a statement at the hearing, and mentioned that his first cousin resides at Murray Center. He said closing the center would cause "devastation" to the region's economy.
"It is certainly not the right thing to do during the aftermath of this great recession," Clayborne said.
Rep. John Cavaletto, R-Salem, told the commission, "Change should be decided by the parents, not the state of Illinois." The crowd cheered and had to be gaveled.
Michelle Saddler, secretary of the Department of Human Services, told the commission members she's from St. Louis and is familiar with Murray Center and the region.
"I'm not here to criticize Murray," Saddler said. "But I am here to talk about the constraints and demands that are placed on our system ... that lead us to recommend change."
Saddler said DHS recommends closing the center mostly as "a policy decision," not a financial one. She said community-based care is better for people with disabilities, and only two states have more people in institutions than Illinois.
But Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, said he thinks the decision is about money, and that the state is trying to balance its budget on the backs of workers and people with developmental disabilities. "This is not right," he said.
Rep. Jerry Costello II, D-Smithton, said the region would lose about 875 direct and indirect jobs if Murray Center closes. Based on the area's population, that would be "like 115,000 jobs lost in Cook County," Costello said.
Rep. Paul Evans, R-O'Fallon, grilled Kevin Casey, director of developmental disabilities for DHS, about why Murray Center was targeted for closure instead of other developmental disabilities centers operated by the state. Evans asked Casey if he was surprised by Quinn's choice of Murray Center.
"No, I wasn't particularly surprised," Casey said.
"I've heard otherwise, sir," Evans replied.
As for the effect on the area's economy, Casey said if the closing of state facilities was based solely on that criteria, none would ever be closed. He said new jobs will surface in the region at private care facilities, rather than jobs that have been built around "19th- and mid-20th-century science."
A resident of Murray Center, Kimberly Leonard, testified. "Please save our home. Thanks for your time," she said.
Barb Pritchard, of the Community for All Coalition, an advocacy group for people with developmental disabilities, brought with her to testify two former residents of state institutions, who said they prefer living outside such facilities. Pritchard said residents of Murray Center deserve "a chance to achieve their dream."
Sen. John O. Jones, R-Mount Vernon, said the only way he could accept closing the center is if Quinn visits Murray Center's residents to "look these people in the face, and look them in the eye," and then tell them it has to close.
Before the hearing began, supporters of Murray Center and supporters of community-based care had dueling press conferences.
At the pro-closure news conference, Tony Paulauski, director of Arc of Illinois, an advocate for people with disabilities, said institutional care is "like having a school without computers."
"We're talking about going back to the dark ages with institutions," he added.
At the pro-Murray Center news conference, Sen. Kyle McCarter, R-Lebanon, accused Quinn of "bullying" the region.
Centralia Mayor Tom Ashby said elected leaders from five counties favor keeping Murray Center open. "We all stand as neighbors to Murray Center," he said.
Cavaletto told supporters at the news conference: "Do not stop writing. Do not stop emailing. Do not stop calling the governor."
Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, said he wants to ask Quinn: "Why are you picking on Southern Illinois?" The Tamms prison, in Phelps' district, also is targeted for closure by Quinn.
Murray Center employs about 550 people.
According to Quinn's office, it costs about $41 million a year to operate Murray Center. A Quinn spokeswoman has said it costs the state $150,000 to $200,000 yearly for a person in institutionalized care for the developmentally disabled, compared to about $80,000 per year in community-based, private care. Under Quinn's plan, the state would provide money for people with disabilities to be placed in community-based care.
Quinn's staff estimates the state will save about $22 million a year by closing Murray and a similar center in Jacksonville.
The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability has a May 19 deadline to issue a recommendation to the governor. The commission recommended that Jacksonville Developmental Center be kept open, but Quinn is proceeding with plans to close it.

Copyright 2012 Belleville News-Democrat. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Contact reporter Brian Brueggemann at bbrueggemann@bnd.com or 239-2511. Follow him on Twitter at @B_Brueggemann.

Read more here: http://www.bnd.com/2012/04/20/2148929/follow-live-tweets-from-the-murray.html#storylink=cpy
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Ability Chicago is in favor of people with disabilities that want to live in there community in a group home setting, with supportive services. As always we are posting articles that help in understanding of disability related issues.

CTA bus driver asked Lady with Baby Stroller (video) to move back because someone in a wheelchair was boarding - EXTREME DRAMA

YouTube Uploaded by juppongatana773 

The bus driver told this lady to move her stroller back because someone in a wheelchair was getting on and this verbal fight ensued.

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Chicago Transit Authority's "Policies and Practices" regarding children in strollers:

Children in open strollers are welcome on CTA, however we encourage parents to be considerate of other customers and adhere to these rules when traveling with a stroller.

Keep strollers clear of aisles and doorways aboard buses and trains.

Seniors and customers with disabilities have priority use of the Priority Seating area aboard buses and trains. If these seats are not in use, open strollers may be parked in this area. This will help you to avoid blocking the aisle. Please yield this space if a customer with disabilities, a senior, or a person using a mobility device wishes to board. On buses, you may request use of the access ramp or lift to help you board and exit.

Please fold your stroller in the event that a bus or train becomes crowded, in order to make room for others. Be aware that in the event that a bus or train is crowded, a CTA employee may ask you to fold your stroller or wait for another vehicle. Please follow their instructions. Also, during certain periods of high ridership, we may require that all strollers be folded before you board.

Children in an open stroller should be seated and secured in the stroller before boarding the bus or train.

Note that strollers are never allowed on escalators. If traveling with an open stroller in a multi-level facility, please use elevators or ramps where available. On train station platforms, position your stroller parallel to the platform edge (not facing it), use wheel locks/brakes and stay with it at all times.

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More Blog Archive on CTA - Baby Strollers - Priority Seating : CLICK HERE

Baby Stroller blocks aisle on CTA bus , same old issues (video) | Giant baby buggies,grandma carts and selfish people | April 2012
http://abilitychicagoinfo.blogspot.com/2012/04/baby-stroller-blocks-aisle-on-cta-bus.html

CTA - Parents take rudeness to new lows with Baby Stroller on bus (again)|
April 19, 2012 :
http://abilitychicagoinfo.blogspot.com/2012/04/cta-parents-take-rudeness-to-new-lows.html

Giant baby stroller on the CTA with standing room only - AGAIN (video) | April 20, 2012 :
http://abilitychicagoinfo.blogspot.com/2012/04/giant-baby-stroller-on-cta-with.html

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Ability Chicago members have been advocating CTA change the 'Baby Stroller'
Policy to the previous one of 9 years ago - ALL BABY STROLLERS MUST BE FOLDED BEFORE ENTERING CTA VECHICLES.

PRIORITY SEATING IS FEDERALLY MANDATED TO BE AVAILABLE FOR USE BY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OF ALL AGES (that choose to use the priority seating areas)

ANY MORE VIDEOS/PHOTOS OF "Baby Strollers' on CTA buses of trains, PLEASE share them with us at : jimwatkins@abilitychicago.info

Illinois Gov Quinn's Medicaid proposal winning some praise; BUT will it effect quality of life ? | April 20, 2012

Despite questions, Quinn's Medicaid proposal winning some praise

By Kristen Schorsch ; Crain's Healthcare Daily



Crain's) — Gov. Pat Quinn's plan to slash about $2 billion in Medicaid spending is earning cautious praise from some experts, despite questions about whether the cuts would shift the costs of treating the poor to hospitals.

The governor's office Thursday revealed details of Mr. Quinn's February proposal to reduce the state's Medicaid deficit by $2.7 billion. In addition to the cuts, Mr. Quinn on Thursday proposed a $1-per-pack tax increase on cigarettes, which would raise $337.5 million. That additional revenue would be matched by an equal amount of increased federal funding.

The cuts were outlined in a nine-page report that lacked details on some key proposals but still identified 58 categories of savings.

"I would say they've really tried to focus on services where they're going to do the least amount of harm," said Robert Kaestner, a health care economist with the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois.

Even if half of the proposals were implemented, it would be a good start for the state, Mr. Kaestner said.


Among areas where the Quinn administration expects to find the biggest savings:

> $675 million by cutting reimbursement rates to hospitals and other health care providers.

> $250 million by shifting more of the burden for covering children with special needs to private insurers.

> $120 million by dropping recipients who are actually ineligible for Medicaid.

The proposal comes as the state's backlog of unpaid bills is expected to reach $9.2 billion for the fiscal year ending June 30 and continue to skyrocket, according to a January report by the Civic Federation, a Chicago-based fiscal watchdog group, which praised Mr. Quinn's proposal.

"We started by putting every single thing on the chopping block, and I think we worked backwards to come up with a responsible and balanced approach," said Julie Hamos, director of the state Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

Yet key questions remain about how much the state actually will save and how the cuts would affect providers and patients.

Ms. Hamos acknowledged that the proposed $120 million in savings from eliminating ineligible Medicaid recipients is ambitious.

But the state's monitoring of eligibility "has slipped. . . .We're going to track it much more carefully than it's ever been tracked before," she said.

Mr. Kaestner questioned the reasonableness of those savings, saying he doubted many people are cheating the system.

Some of the proposed cuts are "scary" for a safety-net hospital, said Jose Sanchez, CEO of Norwegian American Hospital in Humboldt Park. Medicaid makes up nearly 70 percent of his budget, he said.

Mr. Sanchez also criticized a proposal to set benchmarks for hospitals to reduce Medicaid readmission rates. The proposal unfairly penalizes hospitals in poor neighborhoods, whose patients are more likely to be readmitted because of factors beyond the hospitals' control.

The state plan, which would be modeled after a Medicare policy that starts in October, saves $40 million, the Quinn administration said.

"Now you have policies that are dictating what the treatment of the patients will be," Mr. Sanchez said.

Ms. Hamos acknowledged that safety-net hospitals are "under great threat." But cuts are necessary to stabilize the Medicaid system, she said.

The $675 million rate cut to providers would be about 8 percent of their reimbursement.


Other areas where the Quinn administration expects to find savings are:

> $136 million, by limiting adult prescriptions to five a month.

> $114.1 million, by imposing a moratorium on new admissions to intermediate-care nursing facilities.

> $72.2 million, by ending Illinois Cares Rx, the Blagojevich administration program that helps about 180,000 elderly, disabled people pay for prescription drugs.

> $51.4 million, by eliminating adult dental care, which would affect around 172,000 people.

> $49.9 million, by reducing the Medicaid eligibility to 133 percent of the federal poverty level, from 185 percent currently, affecting about 26,400 people. Recipients who were grandfathered in under earlier standards would be taken off the rolls.

A representative of the state's nursing home industry blasted the proposed moratorium on new admissions to intermediate-care facilities.

"It's dangerous and I think it's a public safety issue to close the front door on admissions without providing an adequate structure for other places for individuals to reside," said Pat Comstock, executive director of the Springfield-based Health Care Council of Illinois.

In addition to the cut in reimbursement rates, providers likely will end up shouldering even more of the financial burden because patients without private insurance who are ineligible for Medicaid will continue to seek care, experts said.

"Increasing barriers to the services (punishes) the people who have the least resources," said Amber Smock, director of advocacy at Chicago-based Access Living, a nonprofit disability rights and services group.

If approved by the General Assembly, the proposed cuts would be implemented for the next budget year, which begins July 1.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20120420/NEWS03/120429999/despite-questions-quinns-medicaid-proposal-winning-some-praise

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Please contact your State Legislators for any concerns with the proposed severe cuts to the State of Illinois Medicaid programs...

21 years after the ADA we could see our rights rolled back - House Judiciary Subcommittee on The Constitution hearing on April 24, 2012

ACTION ALERTS from American Association of People with Disabilities

On March 16, Representative David Schweikert (R-AZ) introduced H.R. 4200, “To Amend the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990”. On March 26, Representative Mick Mulvaney (R-SC) introduced H.R. 4256, “The Pool Safety and Accessibility for Everyone (pool SAFE) Act”. These bills will prevent the Department of Justice from enforcing its own regulations and keep public pools from being accessible as required by the ADA.

H.R.4200 - Latest Title: -To amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to prohibit the Attorney General from administering or enforcing certain accessibility regulations relating to pools at public accommodations or provided by public entities.

That's right-21 years after the ADA we could see our rights rolled back.

We need to act today.

The House Judiciary Subcommittee on The Constitution has scheduled a hearing to discuss this legislation.

When: Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Time: 4:30pm EST
Room: 2141 Rayburn House Office Building

Take Action:

Come to the hearing and show your support!
Contact your representative: Find the representative for your district and call their office or click on their contact form to submit a letter online. In your letter, identify yourself as a constituent and urge your senator / representative to “Please do not support H.R. 4200 or H.R. 4256. These bills would cut back the ADA and block our right to accessible pools.”
If your representative is a co-sponsor on either of these bills call them today and ask them to remove their name as a co-sponsor! Find out if your representative is a co-sponsor here.

The American Association of People with Disabilities:
Tell Congress to allow ADA pool regulations to go into effect!
http://www.aapd.com/

H.R.4200 Sponsor: Rep Schweikert, David [AZ-5] (introduced 3/16/2012)

Related Bills: S.2186, S.2191

Latest Major Action: 3/26/2012 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

COSPONSORS(18), ALPHABETICAL

Rep Alexander, Rodney [LA-5] - 3/29/2012
Rep Bachus, Spencer [AL-6] - 4/16/2012
Rep Burton, Dan [IN-5] - 3/29/2012
Rep Coffman, Mike [CO-6] - 3/27/2012
Rep Cravaack, Chip [MN-8] - 3/29/2012
Rep Franks, Trent [AZ-2] - 3/16/2012
Rep Gosar, Paul A. [AZ-1] - 3/16/2012
Rep Gowdy, Trey [SC-4] - 3/29/2012
Rep Griffin, Tim [AR-2] - 3/29/2012
Rep Huizenga, Bill [MI-2] - 4/16/2012
Rep Jones, Walter B., Jr. [NC-3] - 3/27/2012
Rep Landry, Jeffrey M. [LA-3] - 3/29/2012
Rep Lankford, James [OK-5] - 3/29/2012
Rep Lummis, Cynthia M. [WY] - 4/16/2012
Rep Mulvaney, Mick [SC-5] - 3/16/2012
Rep Paul, Ron [TX-14] - 4/16/2012
Rep Quayle, Benjamin [AZ-3] - 3/16/2012

Illinois Rep Aaron Schock, [IL-18] - 4/18/2012


Here's what your representatives need to know:

Swimming pools are not a luxury; they are part of American life. Every family deserves the chance to enjoy vacations together without leaving a child, spouse, or parent behind just because they have a disability.

People with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else to use swimming pools.

Backtracking on the ADA is never acceptable.We cannot roll back civil rights for any group.

The ADA was signed into law 21 years ago. Swimming pool owners have had decades to come into compliance.

The final regulation language and the accessibility standards have been out since September 2010, so the pool owners have had 18 months to comply with those specific
The regulations are subject to an "undue burden" defense, so any hotel or pool owner that cannot afford to come into compliance need not do so immediately

Annie Clark, a 7-year-old born without hands - wins a national award for penmanship. | April 20, 2012

First-Grader Born Without Hands Wins Penmanship Award
By Lauren Sher | ABC News Blogs

Annie Clark, a 7-year-old born without hands but with a can-do spirit, has won a national award for penmanship.
The first grader at Wilson Christian Academy in the Pittsburgh-area was awarded the Nicholas Maxim Special Award for Excellent Penmanship at a surprise assembly at her school Wednesday, where she was presented with a trophy and $1,000 prize from Zaner-Bloser, the textbook publishing company that sponsors the contest.

After accepting the award, Annie demonstrated for the audience how she writes, gripping the pencil steadily between her forearms to perfect the letters and capitalization.

"She is a studious and conscientious student who really strives for perfection," her teacher Laura Erb said. "She is very determined to get it right. When she does any kind of writing, she wants to make sure that it's clear and concise and she really takes pride in her work."

Erb said Annie sometimes has to stand up to give herself leverage over the lined paper, but always keeps up in the classroom with her peers. In fact, she tutors other students.

"We don't consider her a special ed [student], she's just Annie," Erb said. "She picks up on things very quickly. She keeps pace with the classroom and the curriculum."

Despite her disability, Annie can use scissors and glue in class, Erb said, and has learned how to dress herself, feed herself, swim and ride a bike. She also excels at math.

"This has been a very natural thing for her. She just did it, she wrote just like this. She didn't have therapy," Erb explained.

Now in its 21st year, the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest is an annual event for grade school students that promotes penmanship. This year, the contest included a new category for students with disabilities after Nicholas Maxim, a fifth grader from Maine who was born without hands or lower arms, applied to the general contest last year and impressed judges with his penmanship skills.

Students can submit a manuscript in print or cursive to enter. Annie won the manuscript contest. On her entry form for Grades 1-2, she wrote the required sentence: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."

In response to the question, "What do you like handwriting?" she carefully dotted the "i" and wrote: "Handwriting is fun and special!"

More than 2.5 million students have participated in the contest over the years, according to company estimates.

Annie's parents, Tom and Mary Ellen Clark, have three biological children and six adopted children from China, including Annie, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. Annie came to Western Pennsylvania at age 2.

"She’s kind and sweet and loving and has added so much to our family," her mother Mary Ellen Clark said. "We just all adore her, and we can’t imagine life without her."

Described as shy, Annie was surprised to learn at the assembly that she had won the award since her mom was asked not to tell her beforehand.

“She went up to receive the trophy and I could tell she was overwhelmed, but she was poised,” Mary Ellen Clark said. “Then I would say it started to sink in and I saw her smile and I could tell she was enjoying the moment.”

"She was shocked," Annie's sister Amy, 25, said. "When it happened, her eyes were so big."

Annie's siblings, classmates, teachers and family couldn't be happier for her. The determined seven-year-old is stopping here. She has big dreams of becoming an author, according to her teacher.

“This has given her a real sense of confidence,” he mother, Mary Ellen Clark said. “She is just proud to be her and as a parent, I’m just thrilled with that.”

# http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/first-grader-born-without-hands-wins-penmanship-award-180647263--abc-news-topstories.html

Illinois Lawmakers cautious of Gov Quinn Medicaid 'proposed' severe cuts | contact your LEGISLATORS | April 20, 2012

Lawmakers skeptical of Quinn Medicaid cuts, $1 tax on cigarette packs


By Ray Long, Monique Garcia and Alissa Groeninger, Chicago Tribune reporters

SPRINGFIELD— — Gov. Pat Quinn challenged lawmakers Thursday to approve a $1-a-pack increase in the cigarette tax and accept major cuts in the state's health care program for the poor, but many Democrats and Republicans view the plan as more a work in progress than a final deal.

The Democratic governor has long positioned himself as a champion for the little guy, but he found himself in the position of pushing a politically unpalatable plan to "rescue" the state's vast Medicaid system or watch it "implode."

Among Quinn's suggested cuts are eliminating a discount prescription program for seniors and people with disabilities as well as removing thousands of patients from Medicaid by scaling back who is eligible. The governor also called for getting rid of dental and chiropractic care for adults and limiting what the state would cover for people with HIV and cancer.

"If we don't do this, the whole system will collapse," Quinn said, adding later, "It'll be broke. It'll be bankrupt."

Quinn will face tough resistance to cutting health care benefits that have been in place for years, and passing a cigarette tax hike will be far from a slam dunk in the General Assembly, where every seat is on the ballot in November.

The Senate has passed a cigarette tax hike twice in recent years only to see the legislation stall in the House. Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, again voiced support for the idea Thursday.

House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, will keep working with the governor, but finding a solution will require a "bipartisan coalition to get it all done," said Steve Brown, the speaker's spokesman.

Asked about the cigarette tax increase, Brown said, "I think anybody would say that you're going to need a lot of other pieces of the puzzle to come together before you find a coalition to pass a revenue increase."

Democrats control the House and Senate, but they already face possible backlash from voters upset that they approved a 67 percent personal income tax rate increase last year.

Beyond that, Democrats represent many of the people who get health care from Medicaid. These lawmakers are being asked to vote for another tax hike and still watch severe cuts to services unfold.

"I would like for the governor to please explain to me how these cuts are going to save money, how denying people access to care, causing them to be sick longer, not being able to see a doctor, how is that saving money?" asked Rep. Mary Flowers, a Chicago Democrat who chairs the House Committee on Health Care Access and Availability.

Flowers said she eventually might support a higher tax on smokes, but not unless the overall plan is improved.

"We're talking about people's lives," Flowers said. "This is a budgetary problem that we're having, and what we're doing because of this budgetary problem is causing people to choose between life or death."

Wringing savings out of Medicaid is a major part of Quinn's proposed state budget. The governor has called for finding an estimated $2.7 billion in cuts and savings from the state's nearly $15 billion Medicaid program. A working group that consisted of lawmakers and members of his administration found nearly $1.4 billion in potential cuts, but there was not total agreement.

Quinn pushed ahead with his ideas Thursday, proposing a cut in reimbursement rates for hospitals, nursing homes and other providers of care in an amount that would save $675 million. That's a hit that many in the health care industry already have decried as too much.

Quinn said the cigarette tax hike can generate $675 million in state and federal revenue and that it is an integral part of how to reach the $2.7 billion goal.

"If we don't deal with the $2.7 billion gap this coming fiscal year, then all that money will have to be taken out of other priorities of state government, things like our schools and things like our public safety and things like our construction on the highways and byways of Illinois," Quinn said. "Our capital program will be put in great jeopardy."

But leading Republicans on the issue — Rep. Patti Bellock, R-Hinsdale, and Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon — said they don't believe Quinn will follow through on his threat of massive cuts. The two legislators also said Republicans are prepared to stand by Quinn's initial call of $2.7 billion in cuts instead of generating more money for Medicaid through a tax increase.

Democratic House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie rejected the GOP notion that Democrats want the tax hike to avoid painful cuts.

"There is no way to solve this problem without causing pain," Currie said. "The question becomes, 'Do we really want to completely destroy the safety net for a very vulnerable population? The cigarette tax will at least minimize some" of that pain.

rlong@tribune.com
mcgarcia@tribune.com
agroeninger@tribune.com

Copyright © 2012, Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-quinn-medicaid-cuts-0420-20120420,0,3015698.story

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PLEASE CONTACT YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS, if Gov Quinn's proposed Medicaid cuts go forward, this will drastically effect our seniors, and people with disabilities - has Illinois become unfriendly to seniors, and people with disabilities ???

TY - Jim at Ability Chicago