Legislative News
Family Care Provider Payments
Care Wisconsin letter to Wisconsin State Legislators (Word doc) regarding a number of issues affecting its ability to pay claims in a timely manner. As a result, some providers are experiencing delays in payments for services.
Diverse Options letter to legislators: "It is with great concern that I contact you regarding a matter that is causing significant financial hardship for Diverse Options, Inc. and a large number of community rehabilitation programs in central and east central Wisconsin." Read more.
Legislative Requests to Audit Family Care Program
On behalf of our 54 member organizations, RFW supports Representative Samantha Kerkman's request to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee co-chairs to review the Wisconsin Family Care Program. RFW and its members support the goals of the program, however, we believe that greater legislative oversight is needed to ensure the program is fulfilling its promise.
Riverfront's letter to Senator Vinehout in support of auditing the Family Care Program. The letter explains issues and recommendations for improvement in the areas of the program's design and viability, rate setting and quality.
Diversified Services letter to legislators: "Now is the time to evaluate what IS working in the family care system and what IS NOT working." Read more.
Curative Care Network letter to Joint Legislative Audit Committee "We do not believe that Family Care is sustainable as it is presently designed."
Information about Disability Rights Wisconsin Family Care and IRIS Ombudsman Program.
The Wisconsin Assembly Committee on Aging and Long Term Care
Informational hearing on Family Care at the State Capitol Thurs., Nov. 12, 2009.
Consensus Reached for Prevocational Services Definition in Family Care Renewal Waiver Application (11-20-09)
History of DHS' Proposed Definition of Prevocational Services
In 2009, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services submitted a redefinition of prevocational services for people with disabilities to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In the proposed DHS prevocational services definition, employment choices for people with disabilities to work at a community rehabilitation center would be time-limited. The existing definition in the Interim Waiver Manual says that prevocational services can be authorized for a defined period of time, but no limits have been imposed under this definition in the past.
RFW letter to members of the Wisconsin legislature on behalf of its members.
On Fri., Nov. 6, 2009, RFW proposed a prevocational services definition to DHS. The Department has responded, by saying it is "reviewing the changes proposed by RFW . . . After reviewing the comments from all stakeholders and holding additional discussions as needed, (DHS) will seek to come to closure during the week of November 16 [2009] on any appropriate revisions for submission to the federal government."
Media coverage
A small sampling of selected stories about prevocational services. Visit RFW's YouTube channel for video coverage.
Pre-voc services issue highlights positive aspects of work (Marshfield News Herald Dec. 11, 2009)
Editorial: Jobs for disabled deserve to stay the same (Appleton Post Crescent Dec. 9, 2009)
Riponites helped preserve choice for Diverse Options clients (Ripon Commonwealth Press Dec. 9, 2009)
Jobs for disabled won't be cut under DHS's switch to Family Care (Appleton Post Crescent Dec. 3, 2009)
Cost saving hurts good workers (Superior Telegram Nov. 25, 2009)
State changes stance on disability work center limits (LaCrosse Tribune Nov. 24, 2009)
State asked to change wording that would affect ODC workers (Wisconsin Rapids Tribune Nov. 16, 2009)Hundreds of Jobs In Central Wisconsin In Danger If A New Policy Takes Affect (WSAW Nov. 13, 2009)
Our View: ODC a treasure for disabled employees (Wisconsin Rapids Tribune Nov. 12, 2009)
Senator: Challenge Center will stay open in Superior (BusinessNorth and KUWS Nov. 9, 2009)
State officials and disability advocates disagree over new policy (LaCrosse Tribune Nov. 4, 2009)
Radio interview with Pam Ritchie, Executive Director of the Opportunity Center, and Senator Dan Kapanke
Wisconsin Policy for Disabled Workers Could Change (WKBT Nov. 3, 2009)
CRP Tax Credit Delayed - Again
Business tax credits for Community Rehabilitation Programs, scheduled to go into effect July 1, 2009 were delayed for implementation until 2011. For details, read pg. 28, #6 in the Joint Committee Finance Committee's Motion 700, which modified Assembly Bill 75.
A Long-term Solution to Save the RAM Program
In order to strengthen the RAM Program and job opportunities for people with disabilities, Rehabilitation For Wisconsin proposes the passage of legislation to authorize a pilot program for joint economic development of rest areas along Interstate Highway System rights-of-way. Read more.
Facts About Independent Living Center Budget Cuts
Fact: The Governor's Budget has proposes a 56% cut in Independent Living Centers' (ILCs) GPR. This presents a fundamental threat to our base funding. The reduction significantly jeopardizes our ability to comply with State Statute 1195 Wisconsin Act 398, Section 46.96, which requires that all agencies (ILCs) receiving funding to be in compliance with the standards and assurances as defined in Title VII of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Those standards and assurances include the provision of the four core services, plus a minimum of 2 additional services. Read more facts about ILCs and the 2009-2011 budget.
LifeRESERV Initiative
LifeRESERV is an innovative qualified long term care supplement that helps families touched by disability with one of their most important financial goals, the long term care of children with severe disabilities. The intent is to provide families with an additional option to make tax free investments to ensure their loved one's long term care is appropriately funded. The long term hope is to have the Federal and State government match the family contributions based on a family income scale. The LifeRESERV plan would be administered by the Wisconsin Office of the State Treasurer and managed by a national insurance company (TBD). Any funds unused by the individual would rollover to a LifeRESERV Foundation for redistribution.
To learn more about RFW's current LifeRESERV initiatives review the discussion paper.
Legislative Resources:
- Who Are My Legislators
- Using an address, map or municipality, find your legislators.
- www.wisconsin.gov
- This site will link you to state government agencies, phone numbers and email addresses of state employees plus contacts for local governments.
- www.legis.state.wi.us
- Links to video/audio of legislative floor action, information on bills and floor session plus public hearings and can link to lawmakers' home pages.
- www.whitehouse.gov
- This site allows you to send correspondence to the President and Vice-President and access the different federal agencies under the Executive Branch.
- www.senate.gov
- This site will give you information about the U.S. Senate and its committees. It will also link you to both Sen. Herb Kohl's office and Sen. Russ Feingold's office.
- www.house.gov
- Links to your Congressman/woman can be found at this site as well as information about the House of Representatives and its committees.
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