Misery loves company?

[Guest guest]

fyi -- we're not alone in Illinois with the budget issues. Of course, the other

states were starting from a much better place. If it'll make you feel any

better to know that others are fighting, too, read this story from our friends

in North Carolina...

Senate Budget Released: More Cuts to Autism Services

May 27, 2011

On May 24, the North Carolina Senate released its version of the state budget,

which cuts an additional 3% from Health and Human Services programs, including

$30 million in cuts to state funded services (IPRS), $51 million more in cuts to

Medicaid optional services for adults, $10 million in cuts to non-profits, and

$25 million more in cuts to Medicaid provider rates, bringing the total to $71.4

million.

The budget includes proposed cuts to 21 of the 26 " optional " Medicaid services

for qualifying adults. Potential " optional services " that may be impacted

include funds for Intermediate Care Facilities for people with intellectual and

developmental disabilities (ICF-MRs), dental care, optical care, physical

therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, personal care services, case

management, and medication. The NC Department of Health and Human Services would

be required to reduce the amount of service, lower payment rates, or eliminate a

service altogether to make up for the loss of $51 million in funding. When

combined with Medicaid matching funds from the federal government, this means a

loss of $200 million dollars in Medicaid funding for " optional " but completely

necessary services. Many of these programs have already been cut recently; in

the case of Medicaid provider rates, this would bring the total rate cuts to

11-13% over the past three years. While the costs to serve individuals continue

to rise, funding available for that care continues to be decreased.

The Senate budget made two additional changes that impact education and tax

revenue. The Senate put $61 million into public schools to reduce class sizes

over the next 4 years, but eliminated more funds for teachers' aides and other

areas of public education. Eliminating funding for teacher's aides is in

addition to major cuts to early education and child development programs

including Smart Start and the More at 4 Program, which helps at-risk children,

including those with autism and other developmental problems, start school on

pace with other children.

The Senate's budget reflects reduced revenues from a tax package that allows the

penny sales tax to expire and would reduce individual income tax rates by .25%

and reduce taxable income for certain small businesses. The cuts to services

that are important to the autism and DD community mentioned here could be

restored if the state's current revenue package were to remain in place.

The Senate will vote on its budget next Tuesday, May 31 and Wednesday, June 1.

House and Senate Appropriations Committee chairs have been meeting over the past

week to see if they can reconcile differences to pass a budget next week that

both chambers agree on.

Get Informed!

The Autism Society of North Carolina has compiled a list of cuts relevant to

people on the autism spectrum on our blog. For a full list of proposed budget

cuts, visit the General Assembly web site and review the articles under the

" News and Information " section (left-hand column). The " Money Report " links for

the Senate Appropriations Committee is a list of cuts, and the " Bill Text " link

includes an overview of the funding as well as the " special provisions " stating

how funding is to be used and related policy changes.

Act now to have your voice heard!

These cuts are unacceptable to the Autism community. The loss of IPRS funding

means people with Autism Spectrum Disorder who have no other services and

supports could lose what little they have. Continuing to cut Medicaid funds,

including provider rates, means lower quality of care and less access to

services. Children in mainstream classrooms would have less help, and fewer

children would get the right start in school. Non-profit providers like the

Autism Society of North Carolina would sustain cuts to nearly every aspect of

their programming.

Contact your NC State Senator and tell them:

The cuts are too deep! Support using the House budget figures.

Keep the penny sales tax and hold off on tax breaks; if they kept the sales tax,

the cuts in the House and Senate budget could be restored.

How to Contact Members of the General Assembly

By phone: All legislative offices can be reached through the General Assembly

switchboard by dialing (919) 733-4111.

Legislators also have offices in their districts. For Raleigh and home district

office contact information for Legislators click here to visit the General

Assembly's " Who Represents Me? " page. Click on " House " or " Senate, " then look

for Member Lists. Click on a name to find your legislator's web page and contact

information for their local offices. This is a 3-day holiday weekend, so you may

be able to connect with your legislator while they are in their home districts.

By e-mail: Legislative e-mail addresses can be located through the " Who

Represents Me? " pages.

For those without Internet access, local Boards of Elections can be asked for

assistance.

Need more help in contacting your legislators?

Click to view ASNC's " How to Contact your Legislator " tip sheet.

Do you have questions about legislative and policy issues?

Email Mahan, ASNC Director of Government Relations, at

jmahan@... or call her at 919-865-5068 or 1-800-442-2762 ext

1116.

The Autism Society of North Carolina can't advocate without you. Thank You for

your continued support of our work.

To find out how you can help, go to our website at www.autismsociety-nc.org.