POLAR PLUNGE Page 9
Volume 28, Number 2
Minnesota’s home care crisis continues to play out at the capitol. More pay and benefits for home care workers are at the forefront for several groups. Advocates got mixed news after Gov. Mark Dayton released his budget last month. Supporters for increased pay are working against a backdrop of thousands of job vacancies in the home care ranks. It’s estimated that there are more than 8,700 job vacancies statewide. Workers who do homecare for Minnesotans with disabilities earn less than other Minnesota workers in many fields. Home care workers earn an average of $12.32 per hour, pay directly tied to state reimbursement rates set by lawmakers. The Complex Care Coalition is a group advocating for people who need more specialized and intensive care to remain in their homes and communities. Someone eligible for complex care needs 12 or more hours of care each day. Coalition member Rick Cardenas said the group is pleased with Dayton’s proposal. Dayton proposes that effective July 1, 2018, service recipients with complex needs will see a 10 percent increase in the rate for Personal Care Attendant (PCA) services, and the budgets for Consumer Directed Community Supports, Alternative Care, and the Consumer Grant Program. Best Life Alliance, a statewide coalition, expressed disappointment that Dayton’s 2017 budget, although providing increases to some workers, fails to include the wages and benefits that group seeks. “Consistent, quality direct-care staff are the foundation of community-based services for people with disabilities,” said Best Life Alliance chair and parent Pam Gonnella. “If we don’t address the workforce shortage, the entire system will crumble. Just like maintenance of roads and bridges, we must invest today in order to have a sustainable system. People’s lives are really on the line.” The alliance wants consecutive four percent wage increases for direct care workers, effective July 1, 2017, and July 1, 2018. It also wants to increase provider rates to cover the cost of single employee health care coverage by July 1, 2019, to improve worker insurance. The funds Dayton earmarked meet the state’s obligations under its proposed contract with SEIU Minnesota Healthcare. SEIU represents workers in the PCA Choice and other home care programs. Medicaid requirements don’t allow differences in payment rates based on union membership, so all workers would benefit. It includes a raise in the minimum wage from $11 to $13 The governor’s budget goes to the House and Senate for action. It is tied to a tentative agreement announced CRISIS page 7
by Jane McClure High fees are keeping too many Minnesota families out of the Medical Assistance/Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) program. Families in the program make many sacrifices to pay fees meant to keep children with disabilities healthy and living in the community. More than 50 parents and children gathered January 28 in Roseville to share their stories and mobilize for the 2017 legislative session. The Arc Minnesota is leading the charge, calling for state lawmakers to support a reduction in the fees. The goal is to have the fees halved this year and eventually eliminated. “People cannot get access to the programs they need because the fees are out of control,” said Melissa Haley, a St. Paul resident and parent of a child with autism. MA/TEFRA covers needed services including include physical therapy, behavior therapy, personal care attendant services, speech and occupational therapy. Parent after parent, some in tears, described extremely difficult situations they face. Families that provided care for years on their own see MA/TEFRA as saving their families, and helping their children. More than one person described the program as a “godsend.” But the income-based fees are too much for families already paying rent, mortgages, car payments and other living expenses. Families make one payment for care for their child with disabilities and another payment to cover insurance needs for the rest of their children.
NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
TWIN CITIES, MN PERMIT NO. 4766 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
COURTESY PHOTO
by Access Press staff
Families call for state intervention, parental fees 'out of control'
Jackie Bambenek shared that her monthly fee for Medical Assistance services for her child with disabilities is more than $950 per month.
This country was founded on a promise of equal rights for all, and we have always managed to move closer to that promise, little by little, one day at a time. It may not be easy - but we'll get there together. — Loretta Lynch
NEWS DIGEST
The fees have increased over the years to help balance the state budget. Some families pay hundreds of dollars and others more than $1,000 per month. Rising fees for the program, coupled with looming Affordable Care Act changes at the federal level, have parents worried. If the Trump administrative makes major changes to the insurance system, programs like MA/ TEFRA could become more important than ever. The TEFRA option is intended to allow MA eligibility for children with disabilities whose parents have too much family income to qualify for MA or other Minnesota health care programs. To qualify for MA/TEFRA services a child must live with at least
Accessible360 helps make websites, apps a snap Page 3 The 'mothers' of the ADA Page 3 Readers write about regulations, spend-downs and staying involved Page 4 Arts grants winners announced Page 10 Attend agricultural conference Page 12
FEES page 7
Longtime community leader
Bjerkesett gave many a place to call home by Access Press staff Countless people with disabilities have enjoyed accessible housing, thanks to Michael Bjerkesett. Bjerkesett’s death January 18 sent shock waves through his large circle of friends and triggered an outpouring of sadness from around the world. Family and friends recall his twinkling eyes, ready smile and zest for life. A celebration of his life was held January 29 in St. Anthony. He was 69 years old and lived in New Brighton. Bjerkesett was best known in Minnesota’s disability community as one of the founders of the United Handicap Federation and as the founder and longtime executive director of the National Handicap Housing Institute, Inc. Bjerkesett founded NHHI in 1975 for the express purpose of improving the independent lifestyles of persons with physical disabilities. His own life as a quadriplegic and experiences trying to find a home for himself raised awareness of the challenges people face in finding accessible homes. Dick VanWagner met Bjerkesett in 1974, when he was helping organize United Handicap Federation. He soon realized that Bjerkesett was a leader, rather than an organizer. “Thanks to Mike – and others – the United Handicapped Federation became a reality. With relish I brought the gavel down on that first convention, became an officer, and since I had a knack for knowing when and how to confront or
COURTESY PHOTO
Care crisis plays out at capitol
February 10, 2017
WWW.ACCESSPRESS.ORG
Michael Bjerkesett coddle elected and appointed public officials, took the lead on a number of projects. Mike and I worked together on goals, strategies and tactics – including knowing the responses UHF would receive from some officials and what our second and third steps would be. After a while I could see Mike was champing at the bit, wanting to get out front, to use his energy and intelligence to get things done with his skill, his vision. You can’t keep a thoroughbred in the starting stall when the other horses were well beyond the gates.” Van Wagner and Bjerkesett worked
together on many issues. When they were researching a civil lawsuit against the Metropolitan Transit Commission, Bjerkesett turned to his friend and said, “Dick, I’m a leader not an organizer.” He and architect John Myklebust went on to form what became NHHI. “We both signed on as plaintiffs in the suit against the MTC and kept working together for a few years until going our separate ways, active on different paths working on issues with people with disabilities. Mike has left big footprints, tread marks if you will, on his way home,” said VanWagner. NHHI, which is considered one of the nation’s leading accessible housing developers, has created more than 15,000 specialized housing units over the years. The developer has had a hand in developing barrier-free housing across the nation, including 20 Minnesota buildings. NHHI has conducted research on barrier-free housing design and developed architectural and product specification standards that are functional and affordable, for new and existing buildings. Its staff has also provided design-related services, marketing, consultation and property management activities to other developers. Bjerkesett retired from NHHI in fall 2014. In an interview he said that as he got older, it was taking more time to manage his health and care. He took time off and then founded another nonprofit, BJERKESETT page 15