ASO Email LEGISLATIVE ALERT - Medicaid Buy-In

[Guest guest]

Dear Friend of ASO:

State Senator Steve Stivers (R-Columbus), Senator Ray (D-Columbus)and State Representative Jon (R-Delaware) announced that they have introduced legislation - SB 369 and HB 664 respectively - to create a Medicaid Buy-In (MBI) program for working individuals with disabilities in the state of Ohio. A press release regarding this follows my signature.

This was one of the recommendations of the Ohio Autism Taskforce and legislation that is supported by the Autism Society of Ohio. Advocates have been working to get legislation introduced for more than six years that would bring MBI to Ohio! MBI would specifically allow individuals with disabilities to earn up to 250% of the federal poverty level and continue to obtain Medicaid health care services.

Make your voices heard on this all important issue! To get a list of state senators and representatives who are currently sponsoring this legislation visit:

http://capwiz.com/nacdd/callalert/index.tt?alertid=9081066

This link also provides a link to the State Legislature Website with more detailed information on each bill.

If your legislators are not currently sponsors - call, email or fax and ask them to sponsor either SB 369 or HB 664. Sample verbiage:

"Please become a sponsor of (SB 369 or HB 664). Currently, 34 other states across the nation allow individuals with disabilities to work and continue to receive Medicaid health care services. Ohio needs to offer this same opportunity to citizens with disabilities, including autism."

You can also add a personal story of how this might affect you or your loved one with autism directly.

If your legislators are currently sponsors, please email them and thank them for sponsoring this legislation.

Need find your state legislators?

State Representatives

Visit www.house.state.oh.us, click on “Your Representatives†and enter your zipcode+4.

State Senators

Visit www.senate.state.oh.us, click on “Your Senators†and enter your zipcode+4.

Not sure what your zip+4 is? Go to www.usps.com and click on “Find a Zipcodeâ€.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD! CONTACT YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS TODAY.

Sincerely,

Barbara C. YavorcikPresidentAutism Society of Ohio701 S. Main St.Akron, OH 44311(330) 376-0211fax: (330) 376-1226email: askASO@...home: byavorcik@...web: www.autismohio.org--------------------------------------------------

STIVERS AND PETERSON INTRODUCE MEDICAID BUY-IN LEGISLATION

COLUMBUS – State Senator Steve Stivers (R-Columbus), Senator Ray (D-Columbus)and State Representative Jon (R-Delaware) announced that they have introduced legislation to create a Medicaid Buy-In program for working individuals with disabilities in the state of Ohio.

Under the current system, Ohioans with disabilities are discouraged from working becauseincreasing their earnings would make them ineligible for health care coverage. The proposedlegislation would enable individuals with disabilities who are employed or want to be employed to “buy-in†to Medicaid. Individuals with disabilities would be able to pay a premium for their Medicaid health care coverage. The amount of a participant’s income would determine the amount of the premium.

“Here we have a group of Ohioans who really want to work and Ohio’s system is telling themno. It is time we changed that system,†said Rep. Jon . “This proposal helps to break down one more barrier that discourages Ohioans with disabilities from working.â€

Senator Stivers a few years ago, wanted to hire a bright, young and enthusiastic constituent to work as a full-time employee on his Senate staff. Day, who uses a wheelchair, had to decline his offer and said she could only volunteer because being paid for a full-time position would have jeopardized her Medicaid health care coverage. Under this new proposal, Ms. Day will now be able to earn a living without the risk of losing her health care benefits.

“This measure is about allowing individuals to live the American Dream – to work and earn ahonest wage. Ohioans with disabilities want to work, but are limited how much they can earnunder Ohio’s current Medicaid system,†said Sen. Steve Stivers. “This measure will enableOhioans with disabilities to work without the threat of losing their Medicaid health carecoverage.â€