|
Disability Policy Consortium Weekly Update
This is one confusing week. We have great news to deliver and also distressing news. On the good news front the DPC got an early and wonderful Christmas gift under our tree. I am pleased to announce that Charlie Carr is joining the staff of the DPC. Yes, that Charlie Carr, former Commissioner of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) and founder/Executive Director of the Northeast Independent Living Program. For the DPC, Charlie will be overseeing our efforts around employment and youth transition. We are so fortunate to have him joining our team.
This week we have a guest editorial from Jim Kruidenier the Executive Director of Stavros. Thank you, Jim.
On the bad news front, the MBTA is today considering eliminating non-ADA paratransit services. This would be devastating to thousands of people with disabilities who rely on the RIDE to leave their home.
We have two employment opportunities listed below.
This is the last scheduled newsletter for 2015. We will join you again on Monday, January 4, 2016.
We, at the DPC, wish you a Happy Holiday and a Healthy New Year.
Happy reading.
John Winske
Disability Policy Consortium
|
|
Editorial: We Will Not Be Moved
A few weeks ago I ran an editorial cautioning that we could soon be under attack from a few different directions. More recently, I noted that the MBTA was considering some drastic moves to cut the cost of The RIDE paratransit program. Well, the other shoe has dropped.
On Friday, the MBTA released their agenda for the Management and Fiscal Control Board meeting to be held today at 1pm today. One of the items on the agenda is the elimination of the premium service area and non-ADA trips. As a reminder, the premium service area is any place not within 3/4 of a bus or rail service (not including commuter rail). Effectively, the RIDE would not pick you up or drop you off at any location not within the 3/4 mile corridor of a MBTA service.
You may remember that the RIDE created the premium service area in 2012 and raised those fares from $2 to $5 one way. The T is going to eliminate these trips entirely. These trips accounted for 210,000 or more than 20% of all trips last year. This proposed change is disgraceful and deeply disturbing.
Literally thousands of our brothers and sisters will now become prisoners in their own homes. Without access to affordable and accessible transportation people with disabilities, seniors and veterans with limitations would be left unable to work, keep medical appoints, visit the senior center, shop for groceries or get a haircut. They would be stranded and alone. In all my years as an advocate I have never seen such serious consideration of a repugnant policy recommendation.
We need to fight this proposal with every ounce of energy we can muster!
What is most disturbing is that there are other proposals on the table, such as utilizing taxis, which are more consumer friendly and could lower cost. Instead, Secretary Pollack has decided to recommend eliminating service to thousands of people. This has been decided without her having any interaction with leaders and advocates from our community.
Again, we must fight this proposal!
The meeting is today at the Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza at 1 PM in Boston. We need to show up and be counted. We must send a clear message, "We will not be moved, lest our brothers and sisters will not be able to move."
John Winske
|
Guest Editorial
:
Time to Push the White House on DME
As readers of the DPC Update know, we're looking at some real problems with Medicare and Durable Medical Equipment. Starting January 1, 2016, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have mandated drastically reduced fee schedules for Complex Rehab wheelchairs and related accessories. These cuts don't just fly in the face of Congressional intent (MIPPA 2008). They're going to severely reduce or eliminate access to such DME for severely disabled people who need this equipment not just for mobility, but health. "Savings" in one part of the system will be far outstripped by costs associated for treatments for skin breakdowns and other conditions produced or exacerbated by unsuitable wheelchairs.
You've been getting updates and alerts about the need to contact members of our Congressional delegation about cuts to the reimbursement rates. But we can't forget another big player here: President Obama. (A) CMS works for him, and they'll do what he tells them. And (B) maybe he's been busy with enough other stuff lately that he doesn't even know about this issue. Here's the chance to do some education and advocacy.
Here's your chance! You can...Call this telephone number: 202-456-1111. Or you can click on this link to send an e-mail to President Obama:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact . Is this a long shot? Probably. But think of all the long shots that have paid off for disability advocates: get on that phone or computer now!
Jim Kruidenier
|
|
Calendar: MassHealth Hearing Improving PCA Program
Subject:
Overtime and Intra-Day Travel Time for Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) under the MassHealth PCA Program.
Purpose:
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) will host a series of public statewide listening sessions on recent changes to federal regulations implementing the Fair Labor Standards Act
(FLSA) and the MassHealth PCA Program's implementation of these requirements. The purpose of these listening sessions will be to gather information from PCA consumers, PCAs, interested stakeholders and the general public on how to improve the PCA program in a way that ensures consumers receive all of their authorized PCA services while minimizing the need for PCAs to work overtime. These listening sessions will be an opportunity for MassHealth to obtain input on ways to enhance the health care experience of PCA consumers and to gather ideas on how to make the MassHealth PCA program more sustainable. We welcome all members of the public who wish to share their ideas with MassHealth and help us work through design challenges related to the recent changes under the FLSA.
Background:
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a Final Rule revising DOL regulations that implement the FLSA. The result of this new rule is that PCAs may receive overtime pay for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per
week for one o
r more consumers cumulatively and pay for intra-day travel time when traveling between one consumer employer's home and another consumer employer's home on the same day to provide PCA services.
What MassHealth is Doing:
Beginning on January 1, 2016, PCAs will automatically receive overtime pay for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week for one or more consumers combined and pay for intra-day travel time in which a PCA travels between one consumer employer's home and another consumer employer's home on the s
ame day to prov
ide PCA services. To facilitate this, MassHealth's contracted fiscal intermediaries will track the cumulative hours worked by PCAs each week, even if they work for more than one consumer, and will automatically calculate any intra-day travel time.
Prior to January 1, 2016, if a consumer needs to schedule a PCA to work more than 40 hours per week, the consumer must contact his/her designated personal care management agency to make a request for prior authorization for premium pay for overtime, as described under MassHealth PCA regulations at 130 CMR 422.420(A)(13).
Listening Sessions:
Information on the three public listening sessions is below. Please note that these sessions are open to all members of the public.
Disability-Related Accommodations:
Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) services and ASL Interpretation will be available. If disability-related accommodations are required for you to attend, or you need materials in other formats, please contact:
[email protected]
.
Comments:
Can be sent to:
[email protected].
Additional Hearings
When: Friday, January 22, 2016, 1:00 - 3:00 P.M.
Where: Saxe Meeting Room, Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem Square, Worcester, MA 01608
Call in Information: 877-929-7125
Participant code: 3608246
When: Wednesday, January 27, 2016, 1:00 - 3:00 P.M.
Where: Community Room, Mason Square Branch, Springfield Public Library, 765 State Street, Springfield, Springfield, MA 01109
Call In Information: 866-565-6580
Participant code:
9593452 (note correction)
|
|
Calendar: Speak Up for Affordable, Accessible, Integrated Housing
When: Monday, December 14, 2015, 2:00 - 4:00 P.M.
Where: SEIU, 26 West Street, Boston, MA 02111
Are you feeling:
Hungry for a world with real affordable housing?
Angry that having a disability makes finding housing harder?
Lonely, like people don't understand your struggle?
Tired of waiting for the housing market to improve?
Then come to our speak out, tell your story, and join the fight for real change. Last year, we and other disability advocates won more than a million dollars in new funding for housing for people with disabilities. Now we want to hear from you how we can go further towards ending the disability housing crisis.
Hosted by the Housing Advocacy Leadership Team (HALT). Please RSVP. To RSVP or request accommodations, please contact Allegra Stout at 617 338-6665 or
[email protected].
|
|
Calendar: Judge King Public Hearing on MBTA Accessibility
When: Tuesday, December 15, 2015, 1:00 - 3:00 P.M.
Where: Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116
Just a reminder, the next public meeting regarding accessibility at the MBTA, is scheduled for Tuesday, December 15th, from 1-3 pm at the Transportation Building. Judge King will be providing on overview of the T's compliance with the MBTA/BCIL settlement, senior management will present on upcoming projects and hear feedback from the community. Click on the link below for more details:
Click this link.
|
|
Advocacy Opportunity: MBTA System-Wide Accessibility Survey
The MBTA System-Wide Accessibility Department is conducting a survey. We urge you to fill it out. We feel it will provide some valuable information to the MBTA.
|
|
Employment Opportunity: Lurie Institute for Disability Policy
The Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University is seeking a new department coordinator/administrative assistant. The jo posting can be found at
https://careers.brandeis.edu/staffjobs/
|
|
Employment Opportunity: FEMA Office of Disability Integration and Coordinaton
FEMA's Office of Disability Integration and Coordination
is now accepting applications for several full-time vacancies at FEMA HQ and across the US.
ODIC's mission is to lead and achieve whole community emergency management, inclusive of individuals with disabilities, and others with access and functional needs. The office provides guidance, tools, methods, programs and strategies for physical, program and effective communication access before, during and after disasters.
To view and apply for these positions or for full information, including key requirements and a description of duties, please click the following links provided below to access the job announcements through USAJobs.gov.
Click here
These announcements will close on December 18, 2015 OR the date the 200th application is received, whichever comes first.
If you have any questions, please contact Mia Burke at
[email protected] or by phone number 202-212-4693.
|
|
| |
| |
|
DPC Needs your Help!!!
The DPC uses the PayPal PayFast system for your tax deductible charitable donations. You do not need to have a PayPal account to use this system because credit card payments are also accepted.
The DPC also uses the Causes program for recurring donations (as well as one time donations). This is a great way to make a smaller monthly donation.
Donate by Mail
Make check or money order payable to:
Disability Policy Consortium
11 Dartmouth Street
Suite 301
Malden, MA 02148 |
|
