Re: To Carol

[Guest guest]

The differences from state to state are shocking. Our state's legislative

session just ended and it will be two years before I can get a

bill passed, but there is a lot of work to do between now and then. I've had

the opportunity to work on getting bills passed before so I

have an advantage. This past session, we got a bill passed that forces Medicaid

to accept a child's IPP or IFSP as prior authorization for

therapies and services. I testified before the legislators about the need for

this bill as children in this state were being denied

services even though they qualified under state and federal law. The funniest

thing about it is that my state paid to teach me how to be

such a great pain in the butt through their Partners in Policymaking seminars

for parent advocates. I learned how to play the game of

politics and have been putting it to use to my daughter's advantage. There are

a couple of other bills that I'm going to be working on

also, but the one to eliminate the waiver waiting list is my top priority. I'll

let you know if I'm sucessful in 2 years.

Carol

dbe3452@... wrote:

> Carol I wanted to write and commiserate. It is shocking how things

> can be so different from state to state. My daughter has a DD

> caseworker and I wish they would have told me about the waiver six

> months ago when I first asked about SSI and whether or not we

> qualified. But they don't seem to tell you anything unless you

> ferret it out first! Keep us all up to date on your bill passing

> process- you can do this! I am continually amazed at the things I am

> doing and that I'm learning how to find information and then put it

> into use efficiently. I havn't been on this list long but you are

> all such a big help/a valuable resource! Thank you, Deanna

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