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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>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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face=Calibri> </FONT></o:p></P>
<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
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There has been much discussion about
these cuts.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Among them:<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </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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face=Calibri> </FONT></o:p></P>
<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
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Many clients suffer from both mental
health and developmental disability issues.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </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 style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </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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face=Calibri>Some individuals with severe disabilities manage their services
through a “self-determination” program.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Through this program, these individuals receive a yearly budget and then
contract for the services they need.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</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 style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A group of individuals has
sued the Department of Health and Welfare over this issue.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </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
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The statement was made in the decision
rendered that “irreparable harm to the plaintiffs is likely.”</FONT></P>
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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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face=Calibri>Most of these restrictions result from House Bill 260, which was
passed during the 2011 legislative session.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </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
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face=Calibri>Representative Shirley Ringo</FONT></P>
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face=Calibri> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
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face=Calibri>PS<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Many
important programs have had funding drastically reduced since 2009.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In my opinion, we should take a balanced
approach to solving this problem – a blend of responsible cuts and increase in
revenue.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I have proposed a variety
of plans to enhance revenue without much success in the legislature.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If you are interested in a citizens’
initiative to eliminate certain tax exemptions, please visit </FONT><A
href="http://www.sutinidaho.org/"><FONT face=Calibri
color=#800080>www.SUTinIdaho.org</FONT></A><FONT face=Calibri>.</FONT></P>
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