January 9 2017
Disability Policy Consortium Weekly Update

 ,

Happy New Year.  We're back.  I hope you had a great holiday.  I begin this year by asking for a favor.  Over the past couple of years, several of you have told me that you love reading this publication each Monday.  The favor I ask is that you share this publication with two friends. We really want to build up our readership in 2017.  I thank you in advance.

I begin the Update with an editorial.  This is the first of four new editorials to begin the year.  All of them will focus on current political events and the outlook for the upcoming year.

We have a job posting for your consideration as well as several good stories from the web.

As always  happy reading.

John Winske
Disability Policy Consortium
Editorial:  Don't Get Distracted by the Side Show

This week there was a flood of news about the disgusting abuse of a white man with intellectual disabilities who was beat and abused by four teens of color from Chicago.  The offenders saved the police serious leg work by broadcasting their odious activity on Facebook.  Do not get caught up in this one incident.  I do not excuse their behavior because the real crime spree against people with disabilities was unfolding in Washington D.C.

This week, Republicans, in the House of Representatives, will reveal their plan to disassemble the Affordable Care Act (ACA), while simultaneously destroying Medicaid.  If the lawmakers are successful in pulling off this audacious caper, they will be sentencing hundreds of thousands if not millions of Americans with disabilities or pre-existing condition to a premature death.  Some will accuse me of hyperbole, but in truth I am probably understating the true impact of the cabal being hatched.

First, let's consider repeal of the ACA.  Over twelve million people have signed up through the exchanges.  Of these, nine million are receiving help through partially funded premiums.  If there are no subsidies, how many of these individuals will still be able to afford their premiums?  How many of them did not have insurance because they had a pre-existing condition that made insurance extremely expensive?  Do not forget that with pre-existing conditions, even if someone could afford insurance, it still did not cover their limitation or disability.  They were often forced into "high risk pools" which have very high premiums because everyone in them has a disability or has been treated for something like cancer or heart disease.

There are also 1.5 million young adults who now have insurance because they are on their parents plan.  Many of these individuals will probably not buy insurance either because they cannot afford it or because when you are under 27 years of age you believe you are invincible.
Now, consider Medicaid (MassHealth in Massachusetts).  Under the ACA anyone under 134% of the poverty level became eligible for Medicaid.  Prior to the ACA, each state set their own guidelines for the program.  In some states, your income had to be under $4,000 to qualify.  Indeed, this is still true in some states that never accepted the ACA.  Under the ACA seven million more people joined Medicaid in the thirty-one states that adopted the ACA.

It is highly likely that the Republicans will propose block granting Medicaid to the states.  The states will get a set amount from the Federal Government and will be free to set their own standards.  For consumers, it will mean a mish-mash of programs that vary by state.  Right now states decide which programs to run (i.e. PCA) and the Federal Government reimburses the state a set percentage.  That has allowed some states (such as Massachusetts) to have generous standards and programs.  Under block granting each state would get a set amount of money.  It is highly likely Congress would cut Medicaid funding before block granting.  

For our community, cutting federal standards and block granting Medicaid would be extremely bad news.  For those not on Medicaid, being forced into an expensive high risk pools will force many to drop their coverage.  One estimate is that as many as twenty-four million Americans could lose insurance coverage.

The events in Chicago were appalling.  Four young people will likely spend considerable time behind bars, which they richly deserve.  But sometimes the greatest danger lies away from the limelight.  The danger lurks away from the glare of the klieg lights because they are complicated, and not easy to cover in 45 second sound bites.  But they can be much more deadly.

John Winske
Employment Opportunity: Program Director, REquipment Program 

Program Director Job Announcement
 
The Program Director provides overall management of the REquipment Program, a durable medical equipment (DME) and assistive technology (AT) reuse program serving people with disabilities and seniors across Massachusetts. The Program Director has direct responsibility for operations, marketing/outreach, training to ensure high program quality and satisfied users. The Program Director is a member of the senior management team and oversees direct and in-direct partner staff to ensure they achieve program quality and service goals. The Program Director reports to and solicits input from the Executive Director on programmatic elements. Position is based in the Worcester area. Statewide travel is required. Position is subject to funding.

A full job description is available here.

Resume and cover letter should be sent to Karen Langley at klangley@dmereuse.org.
Advocacy Opportunity:  Members Sought for One Care Implementation Council 

Deadline extended until Tuesday, January 10, 2017.  

Below is information regarding the procurement of the new Implementation Council starting in 2017.  The current Implementation Council will be replaced by this new Council.

This means all current implementation council members must apply to be part of the new implementation Council that will be formed in 2017.

Masshealth is looking to build on the work done by the first Implementation Council and increase the diversity of Council members in the new Implementation Council.

People seeking to apply for the Council and are wanting more information can, in addition to going to COMMBUYS, go to this  website and scroll down to the bottom of the Notice of Opportunity announcement and the Q/A will be the third bulleted attachment.

Net News: Indivisible

Some advocates, who were formerly staff for progressive members of Congress, have put together a very informative handbook for organizing over the next four years.  The booklet Indivisible can be downloaded here.
Net News: Becoming Disabled  

The New Yorker had a story Becoming Disabled.  It is an intriguing well written piece,  You can read it here.
Net News:  How Apple Built Access

The Independent has a very good article about how Apple is integrating accessibility into their products.  It also includes one of the better videos I have ever seen at promoting accessibility.  Watch the video to the end it has a great ending.   You can see it here.
In This Issue
DPC Needs your Help!!! 
PayPal link
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.

Causes Logo
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
Join Our Mailing List

View our profile on LinkedIn

Find us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter