Stavros
Advocates for Independent Living
Hot Issues
Stavros wants you to be informed and active in the issues that are important to you. As people with disabilities, we need to pay attention to what's going on in our communities, state and nation AND make sure we are heard. Things can only change if our elected officials--local, state or national -- know how you feel! Find out all you need to know to be informed to Vote Smart and start changing the world!
Your call or letter to your elected legislators really does make a difference! Please use the following links for State Legislators in western Massachusetts, or for all MA state legislators. For members of US congress, use the following links representing Massachusetts, or find info for ALL federal legislators here.
Enhanced FMAP
It's time to make a call to US Senator Scott Brown, even if you have already called (You will be talking to an aide, not the senator). We need him to vote in favor of the enhanced FMAP (Federal Medicaid Matching Rates). The actual title of the bill we want him to support is the Substitute Amendment to H.R. 4213, The American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010.
You can just say "Please vote in favor of the enhanced FMAP." Then tell him thousands of people in MA will be hurt if he fails to support this bill. Medicaid services and programs across the state will be have huge funding cuts. The vote may on Saturday or they may extend things for another 30 days, we just don't know.
Senator Scott Brown 202 224 4543
The MA state budget is as stark as it has ever been; without passage of the enhanced FMAP, many, many more cuts to MassHealth and other programs will take place, starting in two weeks. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT for anyone who is served by any Medicaid program. Home and community based services will be cut, and the PCA program is a pretty big target.
FMAP refers to the "match" we (and every other state) get when we spend state dollars for Medicaid services. Usually, for every dollar we spend, the Feds give us 50 cents. Last year, as part of the stimulus, there was an "enhanced" FMAP, and we got 62 cents for every dollar.
This year, we would get almost $700 million dollars from the FMAP; the FY '11 state budget was made assuming that we would get this money, but it is by no means certain! The US Senate is set to vote on this year's enhanced FMAP and Senator Brown really needs to hear from people who support it.
Please call as soon as you can: Scott Brown 202 224 4543
Every call counts and only takes a minute!
Health Care Accessibility - Share Your Story!
Are you a person with a disability who has trouble accessing health care due to inaccessible equipment and architectural barriers or received poor care because of your disability? If so, we want to hear from you! If you are a person with a disability who is interested in being interviewed about barriers you have encountered at hospitals and their outpatient locations, please contact the DPC at 617-542-3522 or rpowell@dpcma.org. All interviews are confidential and no information will be shared without the interviewee's permission.
Action Alerts
One of the best ways to keep informed is to join a listserve. Sign up for three of the best: "Steve Gold's Nuggets" deals with national disability issues and policy trends; the Disability Policy Consortium's (DPC) "First Advocate" action alert list which focuses on state activities. Or sign up for Families USA, a national nonprofit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the achievement of high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans. In addition, we will do our best to keep you updated right here.
What to do if things go wrong in the Hospital.
A website that offers guidance for what to do AFTER something goes wrong with a health care experience in a MA hospital. While information is available on what to do to prepare for a surgery or a visit with a specialist, scant guidance is online regarding what to do when something has gone wrong, e.g., a hospital acquired infection, a wrong site surgery, or your concerns ignored -- concerns that turned out to have been signs of a serious decline in health status. You may have someone in your life that would benefit. Click HERE for more information.
US Census and Our Community
Census officials believe that people with disabilities have been under-reported in past Census counts and have taken steps to increase the count. This is very important as the count impacts many Federal and stste programs. The Disability Policy Consortium is prepared to help by providing information to people with disabilities. They have information on their website on how to participate in the Census, with specific details for people who are Deaf, Blind, and Deaf-Blind. Click on link below to view flyer with more information.
Community Choice Act
Senator Ted Kennedy was a major supporter of the Community Choice Act (CCA) which would establish a national PCA program and address the institutional bias (right now, everyone is "entitled" to nursing home care, but they're not "entitled" to care in their own homes) in Medicaid. Learn more from ADAPT's Community Choice Act website. If you think the CCA is important, please give Senator Kerry's office a call and ask that in Ted's honor he support the CCA, and to include the Community Choice Act in national health reform legislation. Washington: 202.224.2742 or Boston: 617-565-8519. Call your other Federal legislator and ask him/her make sure the CCA becomes law this year!
ADAPT's Access Across America Proposal
ADAPT has a plan to help create more affordable and accessible housing for folks transistioning from nursing homes and other institutions. Click here for more details on Access Across America.
MassHealth Changes/Dentsits
Mass Health Dentists
Updated 12/3/07
