Idaho: The state with the largest population of the heartless.<br><br>w.<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Mon, Feb 6, 2012 at 9:40 AM, Shirley Ringo <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:ringoshirl@moscow.com">ringoshirl@moscow.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
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<div><font face="Arial">Visionaries:</font></div>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;LINE-HEIGHT:normal"><font face="Calibri">From the Legislature, Part III</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;LINE-HEIGHT:normal"><font face="Calibri">February 6, 2012</font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;LINE-HEIGHT:normal"><font face="Calibri">Last Friday, members of JFAC heard compelling testimony from
service providers and individuals who rely on Medicaid.<span> </span>There has been much discussion about
these cuts.<span> </span>Among them:<span> </span>adults on Medicaid can access only
emergency dental care; Medicaid will not cover routine vision care nor
corrective lenses for adults; one-on-one therapy for individuals with mental
health issues or physical disabilities is much harder to access; for audiology
benefits, Medicaid will no longer cover screening, preventive, or corrective
services for adults 21 years of age or older.</font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;LINE-HEIGHT:normal"><font face="Calibri">In an effort to avoid duplicative services, the Department of
Health and Welfare has been directed to restrict duplicative skill training from
being provided by a mental health provider when the individual has chosen to
receive skill training from a developmental disability provider.<span> </span>Many clients suffer from both mental
health and developmental disability issues.<span> </span>They tell us that this provision,
requiring one service but not both, is analogous to stipulating that someone who
suffers from both diabetes and cancer is only allowed to treat one of those
diseases.<span> </span>The training required for
an individual with developmental disabilities is different from that required
for an individual with mental health issues.</font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;LINE-HEIGHT:normal"><font face="Calibri">Some individuals with severe disabilities manage their services
through a “self-determination” program.<span>
</span>Through this program, these individuals receive a yearly budget and then
contract for the services they need.<span>
</span>This year, I have seen the department slash these budgets so that it is
nearly impossible for some people to obtain services needed to stay in their
homes.<span> </span>A group of individuals has
sued the Department of Health and Welfare over this issue.<span> </span>The court has issued a temporary
restraining order to prevent the Department from reducing these budgets without
first providing adequate and court-approved notice and fair hearing.<span> </span>The statement was made in the decision
rendered that “irreparable harm to the plaintiffs is likely.”</font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;LINE-HEIGHT:normal"><font face="Calibri">It is distressing that when sound decisions are not made, and sound
practices are not followed, taxpayers foot the bill to defend these unfortunate
practices in court.</font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;LINE-HEIGHT:normal"><font face="Calibri">Most of these restrictions result from House Bill 260, which was
passed during the 2011 legislative session.<span> </span>To me, the cost savings for some of
these restrictions do not measure up to the harm inflicted upon those in
need.</font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;LINE-HEIGHT:normal"><font face="Calibri">Representative Shirley Ringo</font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;LINE-HEIGHT:normal"><font face="Calibri">PS<span> </span>Many
important programs have had funding drastically reduced since 2009.<span> </span>In my opinion, we should take a balanced
approach to solving this problem – a blend of responsible cuts and increase in
revenue.<span> </span>I have proposed a variety
of plans to enhance revenue without much success in the legislature.<span> </span>If you are interested in a citizens’
initiative to eliminate certain tax exemptions, please visit </font><a href="http://www.sutinidaho.org/" target="_blank"><font color="#800080" face="Calibri">www.SUTinIdaho.org</font></a><font face="Calibri">.</font></p>
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=======================================================<br></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Art Deco (Wayne A. Fox)<br><a href="mailto:art.deco.studios@gmail.com" target="_blank">art.deco.studios@gmail.com</a><br>