SPOOKY SHOW Page 15
Volume 28, Number 10
October 10, 2017
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Care issues scrutinized by committee
PAID
TWIN CITIES, MN PERMIT NO. 4766 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
by Jane McClure
CARE ISSUES page 5
go find something to do. Get busy being a blessing to someone; do something fruitful. Talking about your problem or sitting alone, thinking about it, does no good; it serves only to make you miserable. Above all else, remember that worrying is totally useless. Worrying will not solve your problem. — Joyce Meyer JOBYLYNN SASSILY-JAMES
Virgil Anderson lives on St. Paul’s East Side but frequently uses and benefits from the skyway system. He is opposed to the plan to shorten hours.
Changes to skyway hours seen as a barrier to many by Jane McClure For St. Paul Lowertown resident Chris Beckstrom, skyways provide safe passage at night and in inclement weather. He uses a power chair and struggles to get around on snow and ice-covered sidewalks. Nancie has lived and worked in downtown St. Paul for more than 40 years.
Downtown living is convenient for someone with lifelong disabilities. She bought a condominium along the skyway system, so she could easily get around. They and many others are now worried about getting safely home from work activities, and the quality of life for many people like them. Downtown St. Paul’s SKYWAY page 3
NEWS DIGEST Take the Olmstead survey Page 4 Banquet is November 3 Page 3 Check out the latest Directory of Organizations Page 7-10 Lots of fun things to do Page 11 Meet new AuSM leader Page 13 Find an accessible movie theater Page 14
‘This is Medicaid’ draws attention to crisis by Access Press staff When it comes to health care changes and threats to the federal Medicaid program, Minnesotans with disabilities and their allies aren’t resting. The Arc Minnesota and Arc Greater Twin Cities met with a large group in Inver Grove Heights September 30, to discuss future cooperation and strategy. It’s one of the latest efforts by Minnesota’s This is Medicaid coalition. The Republican-led Graham-Cassidy bill was shelved in late September when key members of the U.S. Senate wouldn’t support it. The bill and its predecessor would have had dire consequences for people with disabilities as Medicaid would have been cut. Allocations would have been in block grant form, meaning states would have to decide which services to reduce and which services to provide additional state funding for. President Donald Trump has announced he’ll continue to seek repeal of the Affordable Care Act and health care reform through executive order. But what that would look like is still unknown. What is does mean is that Medicaid supporters must remain vigilant. Medicaid, known as Medical Assistance in Minnesota, supports a wide range of services. Minnesota’s This is Medicaid coalition, which includes more than 150 groups, was featured at a September 21 press briefing with Gov. Mark Dayton. About one million Minnesotans rely on Medicaid for services
THIS IS MEDICAID
February 20, 2018 may be months away. But state lawmakers, Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) staff and people with disabilities are already preparing for the 2018 legislative session’s start. The Senate Committee on Human Services Reform, Finance and Policy met September 20 to review home and community-based services. The issues are being reviewed now with an eye toward future legislation, said Sen. Jim Abeler (R – Anoka). “We need to learn about the issues and be in a better position for the 2018 session.” But the work is going on with wary eyes toward Washington, D.C., where sweeping changes could come to the Medicaid program. In Minnesota, Medicaid is called Medical Assistance (MA). MA pays for many services people with disabilities and the elderly need for their everyday lives. While a proposal that would have slashed MA was set aside with last month’s demise of the federal health care legislation, changes are still possible. “The only thing certain is that we may be looking at something different,” Abeler said. Another certainty is this: Minnesota’s ongoing shortage of care workers looms over everything and is likely to influence any upcoming legislation. Fewer people are entering the health care workforce. Low wages for many types of direct care workers and demanding work have led to shortages. A legislative audit of home and community-based services that was released earlier this year was discussed with DHS staff and Jo Vos of the legislative auditor’s office. These are services to help people with disabilities and the elderly to live in the community and not in institutional settings. Alex Bartolic, director of the disability services division at DHS, said state officials agree with the findings in the report and are working to address issues raised. Bartolic also said it may be time for DHS to revamp the entire menu of services it provides. But she also noted that DHS is dealing with a growing system. Over the past few decades, Minnesota has shifted from the highest per capita capacity of persons in institutions. About 94 percent of Minnesotans with disabilities now receive services in the community. That means people who need complex care are being cared for though the various waiver programs. As people with disabilities and older adults are supported by thousands of providers in the community that has resulted in a person-centered system with a flexible service menu and complex rate system. It’s a balance between having people be in the most integrated setting possible, yet balancing that with how services are regulated and funded. And reform can take time.
When you begin to worry,
Gov. Mark Dayton, with a cadre of people with disabilities, caregivers and family members of people with disabilities, spoke against possible Medicaid cuts. and supports. “I have a beautiful, amazing six-yearDayton harshly criticized federal old at home that will probably never efforts to cut Medicaid, calling such speak to me. He'll never live on his actions “a tragedy” and “a travesty.” own, he'll never grow up cognitively, He described the proposed cuts as an and he'll need lifelong care,” Swenson “abandonment of people who need govsaid. “My health insurance only pays for ernment support by people who don't.” a tiny part of this little boy's care.” Dayton is also unhappy that states Having a child with disabilities was would have to make the decisions on a wake-up call, said Swenson. “Before which programs to keep and which to cut. you have a kid or if you never have a kid Kate Swenson’s son Cooper lives with or if you never have a kid with a disnon-verbal autism. The Cottage Grove ability, you don't know that Medicaid is family relies on support to pay for his not just for seniors, and that your health therapy. The child has made good proginsurance doesn't pay for everything.” ress through therapy needs but would Swenson worries that she and her be held back if he lost his program. MEDICAID page 3