] ACTION ALERT! Stop Texas Cuts!

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FYI We all have a stake in the medicaid waiver program. Please take a few minutes to make phone calls or email the senate finance committee members offices to let them know to how you feel. They do pay attention to the their emails and phone calls. Below is some terrific info to help you understand more about the issues and all the contact info you need.

 Gerard Subject: [DSAs-TX] [Community_Now] ACTION ALERT! Stop Texas Cuts!

   ACTION ALERT!

 TESTIMONY/STORIES NEEDED - As a reminder the Senate Finance Committee has been meeting this week. Tomorrow, THURSDAY – FEBRUARY 3rd is the day that disability organizations ask that you join them to have your voices heard. Please take a minute tomorrow to call, write, Email or fax your stories about how cuts to community-based services would affect you and your family. If you feel passionately about the need for consolidation and closure of some Texas institutions, please add this in your testimony. For more information about costs associated with community based care vs. institutionally based care, please visit the Community Now! website: www.communitynowfreedom.org. You will also find our legislative recommendations here. For tips and contact information for providing testimony, please refer the Email below from the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities. It includes tips and contact information. There are also links to the Finance Committee on the CN website.

 INVEST IN COMMUNITY! Petition – if you have not signed the petition, please sign before the deadline – February 8th. If you have a printed copy of the petition and have obtained signatures, please turn these in on or before the deadline.

 MARCH 1st – March, Rally and Legislative visits… The D/FW Area Community Now! coalition will charter an accessible bus if enough people from the area would like to go down on a bus. Please send me your contact information and expressed interest by Monday – February 7th! On February 10th we will get together to create posters. If you are interested in joining us, please email me. Once we know who would like to get together we will pick a central location to work on them. Alone we can do so little – Together we are stronger!

 Cindi Paschall

Community Now! www.communitynowfreedom.org

" All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking commitment.” ~ unknown

 

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***** ACTION ALERT S.B. 1 *****Cuts To The State Budget

 The Texas Senate is having a public hearing Feb. 1 – Feb. 3 2011 on the proposed budget cuts to (HHS) Health & Human Services. They have proposed a $16 billion CUT over the next two years to the Health & Human Services agencies and the programs they run.

The community based programs that allow Texans the choice to receive their long term care services in the community not in an institution are endanger of being drastically cut. If you don’t Raise your Voice and let the Legislators know how losing your services will affect you and your family, then they will make the CUTS!

Read below to see what you can do in the next few days to let the legislators know:

Here are a few examples of some of the proposed cuts to the Medicaid Waiver programs:

$342,683,706 (million) CUT from the (CBA) Community Based Alternatives Waiver 

$451,866,354 (million) CUT from the (HCA) Home & Community Services Waiver 

$107,869,131 (million) CUT from the (CLASS) Community Living Assistance Supports & Services Waiver$28,078,989 (million) CUT from the Medically Dependent Children’s Programs

$102,091,552 (million) CUT from the Deaf, Blind, Multiple Disabilities ProgramsHow can you make your voice heard:

You can give public testimony at the Capitol in the Capitol Finance Room E1.036; Tuesday 1st, Wednesday 2nd, & Thursday 3rd starting at 9:00 a.m. each morning. Parking is available in the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage at 1201 San Jacinto located between Trinity and San Jacinto Streets at 12th and 13th streets. Parking is free for the first two hours and $1.00 for each half hour thereafter (maximum daily charge: $8.00); accessible parking is available with accessible routes to the Capitol. (Map of the Capitol area provide at the bottom) A majority of disability advocacy groups plan to concentrate their testimony on Thursday, if you can’t attend make your voice heard through emails, phone calls, or working with others during this important time. (More information below on how to contact your legislator by phone or mail)

Tips on giving oral testimony:The purpose of public hearings is to provide government officials with an opportunity to learn about issues – the benefits, concerns, needs or problems. It is also an opportunity for constituents, citizens and advocates to provide testimony and express opinions.

Important reasons to attended and testify at public hearings: • Educate & influence legislators • Educate the public • Publicize positions, problems & solutions Do:

• Know the issue and how it affects you and others. • Prepare! You usually have only 3 minutes to speak. They will stop you even if you're not done. • Begin by identifying yourself, the group you represent, the bill or issue, and if you are for or against.

• Tell them your story and how you have benefited and that you would much rather receive your services in the community. (Remember you only have 3 minutes) • Use personal examples to make your point. • Be Respectful!

• End by thanking the committee or legislators for the opportunity to testify If you give oral testimony and you are asked what to cut say (1) before anything is cut, use the $9.4 billion Rainy Day Fund and (2) I understand other issues are important, but I am here to talk about disability issues.

Don’t: • Don’t be disrespectful! State why you disagree with them & educate them • Don’t make claims you are not ready to prove • Don’t start philosophizing, repeating yourself, offering threats, or criticizes other issues

If you wish to call or send an email to Legislators/staff about the budget:Contact as many of the members of the Senate Finance Committee listed below, (especially if one is your senator!) If you''re from their district, say so, and add, " I am or a family member is currently receiving community based services instead of receiving them in an institution. Aging and disability community services are necessary and promote “aging in place”, community inclusion, improved quality of life, higher productivity, better health and wellness, fewer visits to emergency rooms and hospitals, and the ability to live as independently as possible. I want you to support community based services a more cost effective way to a balanced approach to balancing the state budget. Texas needs to preserve vital programs for Texans with disabilities and their families, use the Rainy Day Fund, and seek out new revenue " !

If you don’t know which Senator represents you, take a few seconds to find out at http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/ Tips on calling Legislators & their staff:

Do: • Prepare your message before you call. • If you can’t speak with the legislator explain it to the staffer that answered.  They do keep track of each call. • Be concise & persuasive, a call should only be a few minutes.

• Identify yourself as a constituent or advocate • Say exactly what you are calling about. Use bill numbers, issues, if you are for or against. • Say specifically what you want the legislator to do (to support a bill or vote against it.

• Thank them for their time. Don’t: • Underestimate the power of the staff. They have the ear of the legislator; give them as much respect as you would a legislator. • Don''t be rude, criticize, argue or gossip (deliver your message).

***Make sure to take a few minutes & call each Senators office and email if possible, it will only take a few minutes. The more they hear the message the better. If it is after hours leave a message each one left is documented. Even if you plan to testify take the time to call each office the day before or after. Try to get as many of your family and friends to do the same, there is NO more important time then in the next four days to get them the message “NOT TO CUT our community based services, they should Invest in Community!”***

Call the Senate Finance Committee Members Below: Sen. Steve Ogden : Sen. Hinojosa: Sen. Bob Deuell: Sen. Duncan:

Sen. Eltife: Sen. Craig Estes: Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr.: Sen. Jane : Sen. Dan : Sen. Ken Seliger:

Sen. Florence Shapiro: Sen. Royce West: Sen. Whitmire: Sen. Tommy : (512) 463-010 Sen. Judith Zaffirini: Tips on emailing:

Correspondence is a written record of your views, interest and positions. Legislators often have their staff attach memos to bills so that they can see who is supporting/opposing bills they are considering. You can use the same language in your email as you did on your phone calls. Contact as many of the members of the Senate Finance Committee listed below, (especially if one is your senator!) If you''re from their district, say so, and add, " I am or a family member is currently receiving community based services instead of receiving them in an institution. Aging and disability community services are necessary and promote “aging in place”, community inclusion, improved quality of life, higher productivity, better health and wellness, fewer visits to emergency rooms and hospitals, and the ability to live as independently as possible. I want you to support community based services a more cost effective way to a balanced approach to balancing the state budget. Texas needs to preserve vital programs for Texans with disabilities and their families, use the Rainy Day Fund, and seek out new revenue " !

If you don’t know which Senator represents you, take a few seconds to find out at http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/Tips on emailing Legislators & their staff:

Do:• Introduce yourself in your email and let the legislator know why you are interested or concerned about the issue. Tell the legislator how the bill will affect you, your family, your friends, your job/business. Include specific examples if you can.

• Put in bold at the top the bill # S.B. 1 and that you are against a cuts only approach to balancing the budget. • Let the legislator know if you are a constituent. To email all the committee members at once, copy and paste the following email addresses into the " to " line of your message:

Make your tag line “Invest in Community Based Services for Texans with Disabilities” steve.ogden@...; juan.hinojosa@...; bob.deuell@...; robert.duncan@...; kevin.eltife@...; craig.estes@...; eddie.lucio@...; jane.nelson@...; dan.patrick@...; ken.seliger@...; florence.shapiro@...; royce.west@...; john.whitmire@... tommy.williams@...; judith.zaffirini@...

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT CTD/Coalition of Texans with Disabilities @ on how to get involved and make your VOICE HEARD! www.cotwd.org

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