Guest guest Posted June 7, 2000 Report Share Posted June 7, 2000 Please disseminate this message as widely as possible Proposed rule making by HCFA, due to be issued in the next one to two weeks, will close a loophole in MA funding which currently generates some $400m in additional federal funding for the HCBW, Attendant Care, Home modifications and a further list of things which the disability community supports. The loophole - known as the Inter Governmental Transfer - is one whereby states can pledge County funds to generate Federal Financial Participation and then use the FFP to repay the funds to the Counties. Generally these funds are used by states to fund disability related issues, but some states - Kansas and Louisiana have been mentioned - have tried to use the money on things like bridges and roads, prompting HCFA to propose closing the loophole. To quote a draft letter from Secretary Houstoun to Secretary Shalala: " Since 1991, the IGT has supported Pennsylvania programs to provide more opportunities for disabled and elderly individuals to receive care in their homes when appropriate, while maintaining our commitment to nursing homes. Recently, the IGT (combined with state funds) provided over $106 million in home/community based waiver slots and home modifications for disabled persons to avoid unnecessary institutionalization. The IGT has supported state efforts in providing behavioral health services, mental health services, attendant care, and substance abuse research. " We are concerned that in an effort to curb abuses, legitimate program activities in Pennsylvania, (primarily our home and community-based care waivers and long-term care programs) will be jeopardized by the proposed changes. " The DD Council urges all concerned citizens to communicate information about this issue to their federal representatives and to Secretary Donna Shalala as soon as possible. If you need assistance in contacting your representatives you can either contact the League of Women Voters (1 ) or go to the website www.vote-smart.org where typing your zip code brings the name of all your elected officials. Graham Mulholland Executive Director DD Council 1 Please disseminate this message as widely as possible Proposed rule making by HCFA, due to be issued in the next one to two weeks, will close a loophole in MA funding which currently generates some $400m in additional federal funding for the HCBW, Attendant Care, Home modifications and a further list of things which the disability community supports. The loophole - known as the Inter Governmental Transfer - is one whereby states can pledge County funds to generate Federal Financial Participation and then use the FFP to repay the funds to the Counties. Generally these funds are used by states to fund disability related issues, but some states - Kansas and Louisiana have been mentioned - have tried to use the money on things like bridges and roads, prompting HCFA to propose closing the loophole. To quote a draft letter from Secretary Houstoun to Secretary Shalala: " Since 1991, the IGT has supported Pennsylvania programs to provide more opportunities for disabled and elderly individuals to receive care in their homes when appropriate, while maintaining our commitment to nursing homes. Recently, the IGT (combined with state funds) provided over $106 million in home/community based waiver slots and home modifications for disabled persons to avoid unnecessary institutionalization. The IGT has supported state efforts in providing behavioral health services, mental health services, attendant care, and substance abuse research. " We are concerned that in an effort to curb abuses, legitimate program activities in Pennsylvania, (primarily our home and community-based care waivers and long-term care programs) will be jeopardized by the proposed changes. " The DD Council urges all concerned citizens to communicate information about this issue to their federal representatives and to Secretary Donna Shalala as soon as possible. If you need assistance in contacting your representatives you can either contact the League of Women Voters (1 ) or go to the website www.vote-smart.org where typing your zip code brings the name of all your elected officials. Graham Mulholland Executive Director DD Council 1 Please do not resend these messages to anyone without the express permission of the message's author and anyone else who is quoted. This list is closed and private. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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