>From the National Parent Network on Disabilities.
Harry Gewanter
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MONDAY LISTSERV....a little something extra
March 6, 2000
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The Monday Listserv is less formal and includes action alerts
and extra information which we are not able to fit into our
weekly Friday Fax, but feel it is important to share.
Have a great day!
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IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED
FAMILIES OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 2000
BACKGROUND:
Senators Grassley and Kennedy are working together to introduce the
Families Opportunities Act of
2000. It will provide opportunities for families of children with
disabilities, who become ineligible
for SSI benefits because of family income, to purchase into Medicaid. The
bill will also:
· Allow families to buy into Medicaid to fill in the gaps that their
employee benefits do not cover. The Medicaid buy in will broaden the
coverage for the child with a disability.
· Allow families to buy into Medicaid to ensure that their child
receives needed services.
· Include a demonstration piece to allow states to try out this new
approach.
· Set up Family-to-Family Health Information Centers. These centers
will aid families in their attempts to maneuver through the health care
systems. This is indeed an exciting and much needed provision.
CURRENT STATUS:
NPND has learned that in order for this bill to go forward and be
introduced, the support of Senator William Roth (R-DE), Chair of the
Finance Committee, is NEEDED. It has been reported, though, that
Senator Roth "does not feel" that the income of families caring for a
child with disabilities is affected by Medicaid. We know that this is
incorrect and therefore it needs our immediate attention. This is a
wonderful piece of legislation that we need!
ACTION NEEDED:
Senator Roth needs to hear our stories. He needs to hear from families
who are in the situation where they have been unable to take a promotion
or better their income, because the loss of a child?s Medicaid would be
devastating to the family. We need to emphasize the importance and need
for the Family-to-Family Health Information Centers. We need to
ensure that
Medicaid is available to all families that need it.
MESSAGE:
Tell Senator Roth this is an important issue to families. Let him know
how Medicaid benefits affect a family?s livelihood.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Phone: 202-224-2441
E-mail:
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The Monday Listserv is brought to you by
The National Parent Network on Disabilities
1130 17th Street, N.W. Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 463-2299 (202) 463-9403 (fax)
/ www.npnd.org