DayAlMohamed

Community First Choice Option Included in Latests Senate Finance Committee Legislation

2009-09-22T19:37:00Z

**** Cross-Posted from www.DayinWashington.com ****

LATEST NEWS – Things are moving fast here in Washington DC. I know that many people with disabilities have been actively working to get the Community First Choice (CFC) Option included in health reform legislation as a whole.

First proposed by by Senator Harkin as a way to get the key provisions of the Community Choice Act (CCA) in the health care reform bill. The option would encourage states to provide Medicaid home and community based attendant services (rather than require them as the original CCA would do).

Senator Schumer introduced the language of the CFC Option as an amendment this week. Today, I reviewed the new modified Chairman’s Mark from Senator Baucus of the Senate Finance Committee. Below please find the exact language relating to the CFC Option that is in the bill:

To Accept with Modification Schumer Amendment #C13:

On page 50, at the end of the Long Term Services and Supports section

Insert ―The Chairman’s Mark would establish the Community First Choice Option, which would create a state plan option under section 1915 of the Social Security Act to provide community based attendant supports and services to individuals with disabilities who are Medicaid eligible and who require an institutional level of care. These services and supports include assistance toindividuals with disabilities in accomplishing activities of daily living and health related tasks. States who choose the Community First Choice Option would be eligible for enhanced federal match rate of an additional six percentage points for reimbursable expenses in the program. The option would sunset after five years.

―The Community First Choice Option also would require data collection to help determine how states are currently providing home and community based services, the cost of those services, and whether states are currently offering individuals with disabilities who otherwise qualify for institutional care under Medicaid the choice to instead receive home and community based services, as required by the U.S. Supreme Court in Olmstead v. L.C. (1999).

―The Community First Choice Option would also modify the Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Demonstration to reduce the amount of time required for individuals to qualify for that program to 90 days.

For this and more information about disability policy as it is happening, please go to: www.DayinWashington.com

Why Do We Need Health Reform Anyway?

2009-09-19T05:16:00Z

**** Taken from http://www.DayinWashington.com ****

There has been a lot of discussion of late about the various health reform bills and what they really mean and not all of that discussion has been positive or productive. I do believe that there are some valid concerns about these bills. No legislaton is perfect. And in all of the rhetoric currently out there it is critical to remember two things:

Everyone has an agenda and will spin information, so always check it out yourself (check multiple sources).
At the heart of all of this, it is about people, not process; about families, not statistics so this discussion is VERY personal to everyone and feelings will run high. Be respectful, even if we think they may be wrong.

One would assume that most people are in favor of health reform. I was quickly disabused of that notion from a recent (August 15th -17th) NBC poll on health reform.

60% said the current health system needs a “complete overhaul” or “major reform” — but it WAS 72% in April.

54% are worried that government is going too far.

41% are worried that reform will not do enough to lower costs and cover the uninsured.

41% approve of the President’s handling of health care.

21% approve of the Republican’s handling of health care.

To answer the question as to why health reform is needed, and in particular why it is needed for people with disabilities, I’m going to tell you a story. A true story. And unfortunately, it is not a story with a happy ending.

A woman in her thirties with uncontrolled diabetes and her two children lived with a relative in South Carolina. She did not qualify for Medicaid under South Carolina’s guidelines because she had not yet been found disabled by the Social Security Administration. Since she had no treating physician, every time her blood sugar went too high or too low, she went to the local emergency room (ER) for treatment. She continually complained to the ER staff that she had a sore on her right foot that would not heal. No one evaluated her for this because they were concerned with getting her blood sugar under control. Every ER visit had notations of her unhealing sores but provided no treatment.

Eventually, she insisted that the doctor look at the worsening sores on her foot. Once the doctor saw her foot, she was immediately admitted and the next day her leg was amputated below the knee. The surgeon could not remove all of the leg that needed to be removed and wanted to wait a few days because it would be too much of a shock to her system. The sores were so bad that even with the amputation, osteomyelitis had set in and before the next surgery could be performed, she died.

Prior to her death, there was a record of 52 ER visits and 14 inpatient visits in 18 months! Neither the hospitals nor the surgeon will be paid for their services, because there was no Medicaid coverage before her death. Access to affordable health care would have enabled her to manage her diabetes and most likely would have saved her life. What really upset me was that the cause of death on the Death Certificate said “Complications of Diabetes.”

She didn’t die because of diabetes, she died because she couldn’t access affordable health care. THAT is why there needs to be a change in the system. What exactly that change is, is still up for negotiation, but the discussion must continue. If nothing happens, then we will continue to hear more stories like this. I do not want to be the one to tell that woman’s two children that we didn’t try to ensure that none else has to suffer as their family has.

What Senator Baucus' Health Reform Bill Really Means for People with Disabilities

2009-09-19T05:05:00Z

**** From http://www.DayinWashington.com ****

Obviously, I am buried under health reform these days but I wanted to send out a few quick bullet points about the Baucus health reform bill that might be of interest to people with disabilities. I’ve always said that comprmise is where everybody goes away unhappy. Max Baucus’ health reform bill from the Senate Finance Committee claims to “ensure this package works for patients, for health care providers and for our economy” and right now, it looks like everyone is unhappy with this supposedly middle-ground legislation.

There are a number of significant issues that will seriously impact people with disabilities' access to health insurance and health care, including a few that you might not expect.

To find out more about "free riders," the insurance mandate and durable medical equipment (among many other things) from the Senate Finance bill explained in plain English, please visit: http://dayinwashington.com/?p=391

**** From http://www.DayinWashington.com ****

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the ADA Amendments Act - Latest News

2009-09-19T04:59:00Z

**** Cross-Posted from http://www.DayinWashington.com ****

It was almost exactly one year ago that the President signed the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act (ADAAA) into law. As a part of tht law, Congress directed the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to amend its ADA regulation to reflect the changes made by the ADAAA. Just two days ago, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission voted to approve a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the first step in the effort to change its ADA regulations to do so. I expect the NPRM to show up in the Federal Register early next week.

As many of you who follow this blog know, last year congress passed the ADAA because persons with many types of impairments – including epilepsy, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, intellectual disabilities, and mental health conditions – had been unable to bring ADA claims because they were found not to meet the ADA’s definition of “disability.” The ADAAA meaks it very clar that people with these and other impairments should be covered.

NPRMs are usually “open” for 60 days, so it will be a great opportunity to comment and offer your suggestions. I’ll let you know as soon as they are out along with a link.

The Commission has also issued a question and answer guide on the NPRM. Which explains the changes to employment law in plain english. If you get a chance, take a look.

****For more on issues related to disability and public policy please visit the website at: http://www.DayinWashington.com****

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities - The 2nd Conference of States Parties

2009-09-09T05:11:00Z

****Full story at: http://www.DayinWashington.com ****

Most of last week, I had the pleasure of spending at the United Nations in New York. I attended the Second Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It has been almost 10 years since I was at the United Nations and found that I had forgotten a lot of what it was like: The way the building seemed aged and just a step out of time, the many many suits rushing around attending to various delegates, the variety of colors and clothing and languages. I have to admit, it was pleasant to hear Arabic again after so many years.

As many of you may be aware, on July 30th, Ambassador Susan Rice signed the treaty on behalf of the United States. If ratified by the Senate, the CRPD will be the fourth major human rights treaty ever adopted by the U.S. On September 3rd, Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy spoke at the conference.

You can find his full comments at: http://dayinwashington.com/?p=369

Kindle 2, Authors Guild and Reading Rights

2009-04-09T16:41:00Z

Cross-Posted (barring additional technical difficulties) at www.DayInWashington.com

Just a quick update. Some of you may be aware that there is a protest that took place on Tuesday, April 7 outside the offices of the Authors Guild.

The reason for the protest is with regard to Amazon's e-book reader, the Kindle. The latest version of the Kindle, which was unveiled in February has a text-to-speech feature which basically reads aloud the book's text in an electronic voice. However, because of complaints from the Authors Guild that this was copyright infringement, and concern that the feature would hurt sales of audio books, Amazon gave publishers and authors the ability to remove the text-to-speech function for their books.

The protesters, part of the Reading Rights Coalition, argue that people with print disabilities who cannot effectively read print because of a visual, physical, perceptual, developmental, cognitive, or learning disability deserve the opportunity to enjoy access to books on an equal basis with those who can read print. Disabling the text-to-speech function and requiring that people with disabilities submit to "certification" or "registration" is not an acceptable compromise. The Reading Rights Coalition is a joint effort made up of 28 organizations representing upwards of 15 million Americans who are blind or otherwise unable to readily use traditional print.

Their perspective is quite compelling: "The water company does not charge separate rates for the use of water depending on whether the consumer is drinking it or using it to wash dishes; it simply charges for the amount of water used. By the same token, an e-book is not inherently visual or aural, and to claim that reading it either visually or aurally should cost a different price is discriminatory."

Amazon has remained mostly on the sidelines so far. However, in a statement the company insisted that text-to-speech is not copyrights infringement. "No copy is made, no derivative work is created, and no performance is being given."

Mika Pyyhkala from the National Federation of the Blind offers some comments as he heads out on a plane from Boston to New York for the protest.

Audio File: Mika Pyyhkala on his way to the Kindle Protest

I hope to have some additional audio on the event soon (thank you, Mika) and will do my best to provide a transcript soon after. Check out the links below for more information.

Resources:

Reading Rights Coalition

National Federation of the Blind Press Release - Quotes a variety of organizations supporting Kindle accessibility.

Authors Guild Article on Kindle Accessibility - Includes Authors Guild suggestion of "disability certification."

Association of Blind Citizens

Cross-Posted at www.DayInWashington.com

The First ADA Amendment Act Lawsuits? Kirk Jenkins v. Nat'l Brd. Med. Examiners (Day In Washington Policy Podcast #35)

2009-03-03T16:00:00Z

Cross-Posted from DayInWashington.com

Day in Washington is a nationally syndicated blog/podcast that explores and discusses various aspects of disability policy. Updated every Tuesday, these 6 minute podcasts offer an easy to understand introduction to disability policy and politics. Text is provided for all podcasts in the comments.

Episode Summary: Last year, one of the most contentious and the most uplifting events was the passage of the ADA Amendments Act. On September 25, 2008, the legislation was signed into law. In 2009, we are seeing the first applications of this new law in the American court system. Kirk Jenkins, was denied an accommodation for the Medical Licensing Exam by the National Board of Medical Examiners. Kirk filed a lawsuit, but was denied relief because the circuit court didn’t consider him “disabled enough” under the ADA. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit decided to apply the ADA Amendments Act retroactively, allowing Kirk to move forward with his suit.

Audio File: Audio File To Be Uploaded Soon

Text File: See Comments

To find out more, please go to: http://dayinwashington.com/?p=184

For more information on disability policy or to offer your own comments or questions please visit www.DayInWashington.com or call 206-888-6009.

Obama Disability Agenda and What Does it Mean - DIW Policy Podcast #34

2009-03-03T15:48:00Z

Cross-Posted from www.DayInWashington.com

Episode Summary: During his campaign, Obama outlined his plan for people with disabilities in an 8-page document. After his election, that outline became part of his Administration’s Disability Policy Agenda. This episode is an overview examining President Obama’s Disability plan and what it means for people with disabilities.

Audio File: Day in Washington #34 (Obama Disability Agenda and What Does it Mean?)

Text File: See Comments

To find out more, please go to: http://dayinwashington.com/?p=179

For more information on disability policy or to offer your own comments or questions please visit www.DayInWashington.com or call 206-888-6009.

Economic Stimulus, Recovery and Disability

2009-02-18T19:07:00Z

Cross-Posted from www.DayInWashington.com

Episode Summary: This episode offers a closer look at the disability policy in the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1) and also comments on the politics behind the bill.

To find out more, please go to: http://dayinwashington.com/?p=169

For more information on disability policy or to offer your own comments or questions please visit www.DayInWashington.com or call 206-888-6009.

Resources:

New York Times Coverage of the Economic Stimulus Legislation

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities “Economic Recovery Watch” Special Series

Disability Scoop - Economic Stimulus Compromise Bill

Day In Washington Podcast #27 (Medicaid Moratorium)

Top Ten Disability Events of 2008 (Day in Washington Podcast #32)

2009-02-11T08:55:00Z

Cross-Posted from www.DayInWashington.com

Day in Washington is a nationally syndicated blog/podcast that explores and discusses various aspects of disability policy. Updated every Tuesday, these 6 minute podcasts offer an easy to understand introduction to disability policy and resources for those interested in further study. Text is provided for all podcasts in the comments.

Episode Summary:

2008 has been a pretty busy year for the disability community. There were many policy issues and disability events that took place, that will have an impact for a long time to come. This episode is a restrospective of the top ten disability events of 2008. Listed in order of importance, this podcast asks listeners/readers to respond to the question: What is YOUR #1 Disability Event for 2008?

To see the complete list, please go to: http://dayinwashington.com/?p=168#comments

For more information on disability policy please check: www.DayInWashington.com or call me at 206-888-6009.

Inauguration Access

2009-01-08T16:15:00Z

Original Message Cross-Posted from www.DayInWashington.com (January 7, 2009)

From a recent article in the Baltimore Examiner:

Those with physical disabilities will find Barack Obama’s inauguration all but inaccessible, and organizers are concerned that people with disabilities may be forced to stay home.

According to a release from the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies — the group responsible for the details of Obama’s swearing-in — parking restrictions near the Capitol include cars with disability plates or tags. Drop-off points for the disabled will be located several blocks away, and “traffic conditions and restrictions may make reaching these drop-off locations extremely difficult.”

For readers/listeners of Day in Washington who may be attending Inauguration and have concerns please follow the information below.

For all access issues related to the swearing-in ceremony, please refer to JCCIC (Joint Congressional Committee on Inauguration Ceremonies). The designated access person is David Hauck and he can be reached Monday - Friday from 9 am to 4:30 pm at 202-224-4048 (voice) and 202-224-4049 (TTY).

Election Day and the Disability Vote

2008-11-05T17:37:00Z

Cross-posted from www.DayInWashington.com/?p=164

Tuesday, November 4, 2008 (Aprox. 10pm)

It isn’t often that I indulge in the excitement that permeates politics but today it is difficult to remove oneself from the tension. Election 2008. The entire nation is churning with the excitement and energy of an election that many call historical. (Just as a quick note - It was pointed out to me by one of our Public Affairs experts that it is usually considered melodramatic to call something “historical” as it is difficult to guage whether something truly is historic or not until well after the fact). But I refuse to let that dampen the mood.

This is it! In an election that has been dynamic and electrifying, where the disability community has, perhaps for the first time been actively courted as a constituency, tonight is the night. This is when wheelchairs will roll up ramps to polling stations, visually impaired voters will have the ability to use electronic voting machines, individuals dexterity issues, individuals developmental disabilities, all of the community, will be speaking out and their votes will be counted. The disability vote will be cast.

For the first time, a candidate had a specific disability platform, for the first time candidates stepped beyond health care and attempted to address other disability issues such as the rampant unemployment and concerns with special education. Although I cringe at the term, “special needs,” for the first time, they are trying to get it right, and for the first time candidates for the Presidency of the United States are listening to the disability community.

They hear what is needed and for the first time are considering that this is a community whose needs should be addressed. Not out of pity, or out of any moral social obligation but because these individuals with disabilities are VOTERS! They are constituents with the power to affect the voting outcome on a national level.

Tonight we will see exactly what a difference it will make.

Addendum. Tuesday, November 4th, 2008 - 11:00pm

It is official. Obama wins and will be the 44th President of the United States. Yes, we can. Yes, we did. And we're only getting started!

The audio is available at: http://dayinwashington.com/?p=165

Cross-posted from: www.DayInWashington.com Home of the Disability Policy Podcast

Suicide for People with Disabilities

2008-10-21T18:22:00Z

The following is cross-posted from my policy blog: http://dayinwashington.com/?p=162. Please go there for more information and the original video.

Suicide for People with Disabilities

Having been someone with a disability for almost 15 years and considering myself a successful and happy individual overall, I have to admit that it still shocks me when I see and hear people say things like, “I would rather die than live with a disability.” It is more than shock, I find it disturbing. Why? Because it negates my entire life. It is like saying everything I’ve done and everything I do now, as a person with a disability, my life, is meaningless. It isn’t worth living.

At http://dayinwashington.com/?p=162 is a video from Saturday on CNN/Europe. My apologies in that I haven’t completed a transcript yet, but I will get it up as soon as I have completed it. In short, the story is about a young man, 23 years old, who after being paralyzed from the chest down, a year later travelled to Switzerland to take his own life. Why? He didn’t want to live a “second class existence.”

Right now, I just wish the young man had had the opportunity to really talk to other people with disabilities. Those who’ve been there and who can relate and can let him know that there is so much more to living than just a “fully functioning” body. The waste, makes me angry and the fact that there is a debate around the issue makes me even angrier. The assumption is that without a fully functioning body, people (and people with disabilities) have nothing to contribute to society and this world.

Thoughts? Comments?

For more information, please go to: www.DayInWashington.com

Disability Blog Carnival #47 - Policy (Cross-Posted from www.DayInWashington.com)

2008-10-21T18:15:00Z

CROSS-POSTED FROM "DAY IN WASHINGTON" (www.DayinWashington.com)

Day in Washington is exceedingly proud to be hosting Disability Blog Carnival #47 - Policy. There were a number of great submissions and as you can see, I got somewhat carried away reading the work of so many wonderful bloggers. I hope you will forgive my indulgence and definitely take a look at what everyone has to say. There is a Chinese proverb that says: May you live in exciting times. Well, that is very much the truth.

WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD

Amber and Lauredhel give us some insight as to the issues affecting women with disabilities around the world

Discrimination
I was really excited to read the first submission for the Disability Blog Carnival on “Policy.” It comes from Amber Smock and she is talking about her visit to Seoul and Women with Disabilities. Did you know that there are about six major women’s disability rights groups in Korea; three are Seoul-only and three cover all of South Korea? But what really fascinated me was the collaboration of these disability organizations with groups representing other disenfranchised people such as LGBTQ. Working as a part of the Anti-Discrimination Action coalition they were successful in passing a bill to cover these points and it has been effective as of April. Check out the details of her trip. Let’s connect when you come to DC!

Sexual Violence
Lauredhel submitted a post regarding a new Australian report on barriers to justice when rapists attack women with disabilities. All I can say is: Wow. What makes this information so groundbreaking is that it is the FIRST study that even asks about the experiences of violence and abuse from people with disabilities. There is NO standard national data collection that includes that information, despite evidence that approximately 20% of Australian women, and 6% of men, will experience sexual violence in their lifetime and based on my knowledge of research in the United States, I’m sure the percentages are much much higher for women with disabilities. As difficult a subject as this is (Caroline’s story made me furious), it is something that people with disabilities as a whole need to be aware of and is an area in desperate need for more advocacy.

POLICY AND POLITICS

Terri and Sarahlynn have their eye on the politics of Washington, after all, someone’s got to keep those politicians honest.

New Kennedy-Brownback Bill & a Taste of Politics
Terri, mother of three, wife of one, and ardent disability advocate talks about the passage of the Prentally and Postnatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act (S. 1810) also known as the Kennedy-Brownback bill. It provides that families receiving a prenatal or postnatal diagnosis of Down syndrome or other conditions will be offered accurate and up-to-date information about the nature of the condition and also connected with support services. Her personal perspective really clarifies why this will (hopefully) have a strong impact on health care professionals who “should know better.”

Although not originally submitted for this Carnival, I could not resist but also point out another post where Terri Gets Political . I love her wry humor and sardonic wit as she points out the foibles of a political party’s efforts to “spin” Disability as an issue…in ways that were never meant to be.

Politics – Do Your Homework (And if you haven’t look here!)
Sarahlynn from Kirkwood, Missouri part-time writer and full-time mom (I’m holding out for a signed copy of your first mystery novel) submitted a post discussing her research on Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin. When the Republican VP candidate stated, “And I pledge to you that, if we’re elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House.” Sarahlynn decided that rather than just take her at her word (What? People question what political candidates say?) she would do some research and find out EXACTLY what the various candidates had to say about disability. I would also highly recommend you check out Parts III and II of her series.

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX

Disability is viewed a problem that needs solving, but it is the societal barriers that need addressing. Ettina and Kim give us some unique perspective on potential solutions.

Special Accommodations
Ettina of Abnormaldiversity, posts about Special Accommodations and Proving Disability and what follows is a thoughtful discussion of some of the difficulties and complexities related to accommodations. But not the issue you might thing. Ettina urges recognition that abnormalities should be treated as part of diversity, and points out that various accommodations such as curb cuts, elevators and talking walk-lights might be considered accommodations for everyone. Considering the benefits to society as a whole from those changes the model of “Prove you Have a Disability and then you Get an Accommodation” is outdated and inefficient. (And I love the example of “The walk-light to cross college drive is now on. Bee-dup.”).

Human Capital
Kim Greenblatt at “profitable” talks about something near and dear to my heart: money. Well, actually, the title is: Building Bridges, Dams and Infrastructure. The subtitle of the blog states that dealing with people with special needs, improving everybody’s quality of life and making a profit aren’t always exclusive. There is a lot of truth in that statement. We’re all worried about the current economic downtrend. What does that mean for us as individuals with disabilities, as Americans, as a nation? Kim’s answer is infrastructure. If the Federal government is taking the time to pour money into saving banks and savings and loans, how about pouring some money into saving us as people? Advocates often talk about the human rights issue associated with disability, Kim reminds us that there is an equally compelling argument to support our efforts, and this the associated economic benefit to society.

YOU GOTTA FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT…

Amanda at Ballastexistenz talks to us about the fight for autism acceptance in the court system in Canada; Darrenh, reminds us, that no matter how high you fly, there’s always some stupid, discriminatory airline rule; Ziggy at the Wheelchair Diffusion Blog considers the fight for “stand-up” wheelchairs. And Ms. CripChick gives us the scoop about blindness organizations’ battle for media accuracy.

Autistics are Human Beings Too
Amanda at Ballastexistenz is celebrating that Michelle Dawson has won her case. Dawson delivered mail for 11 years. In 1999, she told Canada Post she was autistic. Within a year she found herself on unpaid leave, with the reason given that as Dawson had self-injured in the past she was a threat to her co-workers. The Tribunal found for Dawson and expressed that it found it unacceptable that autistic people be seen, because of their condition, to pose a threat to the safety of others and some form of nuisance in the workplace.

Mystery Policies
Darrenh at the Get Around Guide – the blog talks to us about policy, only it isn’t government policy, it is far worse…airline policy. We’ve all read about the outrageous incidents where people with disabilities are kept from flying for all kinds of inadequate reasons. Darrenh relates how Dragonair forcibly removed Rami Rabby, a blind foreign service officer working for the US State Department, because he switched seats with another passenger to be able to sit in the aisle seat. Jim Fruchterman has killer photos of the whole incident. Even when the law is on your side, you can’t give an inch.

Stand Up for your Rights?
Ziggy at the Wheelchair Diffusion Blog writes about a recent court decision that makes you just want to shake your head and wonder, “What were the judges thinking???” On September 24, 2008, the United States District Court in Vermont ruled that the “standing” option of a power wheelchair is not medically necessary and as a result insurance is not required to cover the option – nevermind that Mr. Durgin’s physician prescribed it as medically necessary. So, is it REALLY medically necessary, or is it more something that offers convenience? I have to admit, I couldn’t resist reading a second blog post on a Palm Pistol for people with disabiltiies. That’s right…Ahz gots me a gun.

Who is really blind?
Ms. CripChick, who is just your everyday queer disabled corean girl living in the south decided to give folks a heads-up about the new movie, “Blindness” and the response of the blindness community to what is perceived as an unrealistic and offensive portrayal of individuals who go blind. I have to admit, the movie upset me somewhat (the book is a brutal piece of literature and clearly allegory which you can’t quite do in a film) but the additional information that is truly infuriating is that in spite of the fact that there were over 700 background extras cast in the movie, NONE of them were blind performers, even though many blind extra players exist. And rather than get a blind technical expert (they exist, I’ve known a couple personally) they hired an acting coach who had interviewed a couple of blind people??? Take a look, Ms. CripChick’s got it all.

ONE OF THESE THINGS IS NOT LIKE THE OTHER

Not sure where these posts go. My apologies to those who submitted and my thanks for your consideration.

Emorevoke celebrates Nigeria’s national day/independence day. Such celebrations always bring about reflections of the state of the country, such as: “What’s next?” Or “Have we improved? Have we changed during the year? What has actually changed in our nation?” Emorevoke recalls the oppression and neglect of Nigeria’s past and puts out a thrilling call to action for the future – “We are a nation of great potentials and a lot of resources, please let’s join hands together and build our NATION.” It is our hope that people with disabilities will have a full role in the creation of this new Nigeria. Good luck, Emorevoke!

Simon’s post read a bit more like an advertisement and spoke more about athletics rather than policy but I thought that I would be a less than generous host if I did not include it. He also submitted a post on Wheelchair Quad Rugby.

Jeremy Burman from Advances in the History of Psychology submitted a post about the University of Groningen’s new 4-year research grant will be provided for a student of non-Dutch nationality to study the history of Asperger’s Syndrome. The position, leading to a dissertation about “the proliferation of Asperger’s Syndrome,” will be in the Theory & History of Psychology section of the Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences. If you have the interest you can apply here but do it soon, the deadline is October 27. Considering that Disability Studies is only in the last few years coming in to its own, it is heartening to see support for more detailed disability study. Again, although this is not a policy related post, it may be of interest.

More information is available at: www.DayinWashington.com

Day in Washington Podcast #27 (Medicaid Moratorium) - June 6

2008-07-03T07:24:00Z

Day in Washington- The Disability Policy Podcast explores and discusses various aspects of disability policy. Each episode will cover a specific issue within disability, and/or a disability-related news article. These 5-10 minute podcasts offer an easy to understand introduction to disability policy and resources for those interested in further study. You can find the text of each podcast in the comments. If you have difficulty downloading the podcast, please right-click and save it to your computer for playback.

Note: At the request of some listeners, in this episode we will be experimenting with a slightly different, more casual delivery. Please let us know which style you might prefer. You can contact Day in Washington by posting a comment, or leaving a voicemail or fax at: 206-279-9159. Thank you!

Episode Summary: In this episode we will be will be reviewing and providing a summary analysis on three of seven Medicaid regulations that have been proposed by the Center on Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The disability community has been very involved for the past few months in legislative efforts to create a Medicaid moratorium to prevent the finalization of these rules. Although the purpose of the regulations is stated as reigning in out-of-control health care costs and preventing fraud and abuse, the result of the language of these regulations will significantly negatively impact people with disabilities. Although we’ve been told that these proposals are “bad” in this podcast we will be analyzing them to understand what they will actually do.

Audio File: Day in Washington Podcast #27 - (Medicaid Moratorium)

Show Notes

- Introduction, Date of Podcast

- Analysis of the Medicaid Regulation Regarding Payments for Ancilliary Services Under Case Management Plans

- Analysis of the Medicaid Regulation Regarding Rehabilitation

- Analysis of the Medicad Regulation Regarding School Administrative Costs and Transportation

- What is this really about? Money

- Congressional Response

- Contact your Legislator

- Closing and Contact information

- Disclaimer