In a message dated 7/12/2011 12:42:36 A.M. Central Daylight Time, [email protected] writes:
On Thursday, July 14th from 1:00 - 2:00 PM Eastern, Disability.gov will air a live "Virtual" Town Hall meeting with the White House's top advisors on disability policy. They are currently accepting questions on-line. This is an opportunity for us to send a message to the White House that we are concerned about their proposals for cutting Medicaid which could eliminate the enhanced federal funding for the Community First Choice Option or result in reduced funding to the states which would result in widespread cuts to services and Medicaid rates. We are also concerned that the White House has submitted an amicus brief arguing that we shouldnt have the right to sue over Medicaid rate reductions even if those cuts put our freedom and independence at risk. So it's particularly important right now that the White House hear that we want them to DEFEND OUR FREEDOM! Please consider submitting a question or more. Here are three that ADAPT has submitted. Feel free to submit them as well. Perhaps if they get enough responses, they will answer these tough and important questions. If you submit these questions (or similar ones), please share them with me so ADAPT can follow up with the White House if they dont respond during the Virtual Town Hall meeting. Question 1 Securing the enhanced FMAP in health care reform for the Community First Choice Option was a major step forward toward eliminating the institutional bias. President Obama is proposing that the federal matching shares be consolidated into a single match. Will the Obama administration agree to keep the CFCO enhanced match to promote states selecting the option and rebalancing their systems? Question 2 As part of the current negotiations, the President is considering proposals which cut Medicaid and will have potentially devastating impacts on members of the disability community who depend on Medicaid to pay for the long term services and supports that allow them to live in freedom. Will the President commit to holding home and community based services harmless from any Medicaid cuts? Question 3 A center for independent living, Medicaid beneficiaries and providers sued in federal court, because California violated a provision of federal Medicaid law by cutting rates. A friend-of-the court brief filed by the Obama Administration urged the Supreme Court to rule that Medicaid beneficiaries, advocates and providers have no right to sue. Will the Obama administration withdraw this brief? Heres the link to submit your questions: https://www.disability.gov/WHQuestion NATIONAL ADAPT MAILING LIST - Adapt Community Choice Act List http://www.adapt.org
