FW: Announcement of Public Hearing regarding Proposed White Rules Changes and Additional Information

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From: ADAP Educational Initiative [mailto:ADAPEI@...] Sent: March 04, 2012 11:23 PMEddie Hamilton ( Columbus)Subject: Announcement of Public Hearing regarding Proposed White Rules Changes and Additional Information Greetings Ohio Advocates- Some of you may have already heard that the Ohio Department of Health has announced that a public hearing has been scheduled on 4/4/2012 at the Ohio Department of Health regarding rescinding current and proposing new Ohio Administrative Code rule 3701-44-03. This rule pertains to “Eligibility for benefits under the White Part B Program. This hearing is being held to bring ODH into compliance with lin County Judge Horton’s November Court Ruling that was issued as a result of a lawsuit that was filed on November 2nd, 2011. Hearing Date: April 4, 2012 3:00 P.M.Location: Ohio Department of Health 246 North High Street Conference Room (subject to change) Columbus, OH, 43215 There were over a hundred comments received by the Department during the public comment period by concerned citizens from all across the state and country. Thank you. In addtion, there were approximately 300 e-letters that were sent to Gov. Kasich’s Office. The Governors office had instructed ODH to respond to those e-letters and some of you have already received a written response from the ODH Director. Again, you were heard. However, even though you were heard loud and clear by both of those offices, and we had also proposed some additional changes to those rules, ODH has only changed Paragraph C that gives clients only a 30-day notice if the Director decides to terminate or modify an exisiting program. They did not change any of the Medical Criteria rules in appendix A. They are also proposing in Appendix B that “the Director at any time (without any notice) the unilateral ability to drop the income eligibility level to as low as 100% FPL or $11,000 per year/ 916.00 per month income level. There will be no avenue for appeal outside of ODH. Therefore, we are now requesting your presence at the Public Hearing here in Columbus on April 4, 2012. We will reimburse your CARPOOL mileage from your respective cities to a central point here in Columbus in which we will travel in one group to the ODH hearing to make our voices heard. We will also provide food. We are planning for 100-150 people from across the state to attend this hearing. Obviously, there will not be 100-150 people testifying at the hearing but we will be holding a protest outside of ODH prior to the beginning of the hearing after which we will all go up to the conference room and watch and participate in the hearing. You should prepare and bring written remarks/comments with you to Columbus. If you are not able (because of time) or desire to present them orally you can hand-in your written remarks and we will make sure that they all will be entered into the official record as presented testimony. I have attached the Hearing Notice, Proposed Rule and Appendices to this email for your review. This will be the last Public hearing on the proposed rules so it is crucial that you attend and make yourselves heard. I will send out more information on the travel as events progress. Please notify me by reply email or Will Booth at willbooth12@... of your availability on April 4th and with any questions that you may have. Thanks for your support. Eddie HamiltonADAP Educational InitiativeColumbus, Ohio (614) 657-4701