Family Voices Indiana

You need to contact your Senators and Representative and share why SSI is important for your child.  US  Capitol Switchboard  (202) 224-3121 from    Community Legal Services of Philadelphia: Date Posted:  01/26/2017 Congress is weighing proposals to significantly cut or eliminate Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for children with disabilities. SSI is a Social Security benefit that provides vital monetary support to low-income children and adults with serious disabilities, as well as seniors. The program helps to meet basic needs for vulnerable people, including food, shelter and clothing.  Although the maximum monthly SSI payment is only $735.00, that income can be a lifesaver for struggling families.  For families caring for a child with a disability, that income can help replace wages when a parent needs to stay home to take care of their child. It also provides for the child’s special needs, helping to avoid institutionalization of the child, h

from Disability Scoop: by Michelle Diament  | February 2, 2017 The Trump administration is planning to fundamentally alter Medicaid, a move that could mean big changes to everything from health care to home and community-based services waivers for people with developmental disabilities. President Donald Trump and his top advisors have indicated that they support moving to a block grant system for Medicaid. Though details are scant, such a shift may mean significantly less funding for Medicaid and greater control at the state level. Currently, Medicaid programs are administered by the states, but they must meet certain federal requirements. In exchange, states receive matching grants from Uncle Sam, with no set cap. Under a block grant system, however, states would likely get a finite amount of federal dollars for their Medicaid programs and more autonomy to set rules affecting everything from eligibility to coverage. The prospect of such a dramatic shift has disability adv

from National Family Voices:   ACA Repeal   In General   As reported in earlier Updates, the House and Senate have  adopted a  concurrent budget resolution  - the first step in the ACA repeal process. At this point it is entirely unclear when there will be any repeal and/or replacement legislation. A recording of a closed-door meeting at the Republican congressional retreat last week  reveals disagreement  within the party about how and when to proceed with repeal and replacement of the ACA. Some Members are anxious to get the repeal done, since that's what the president and many Members of Congress promised during their campaigns. Others caution that they should proceed without haste, fearing that repeal without replacement will cause a collapse of the individual insurance market, which would be blamed on the Republicans. While most Members of Congress would probably be happy to replace the ACA at the same time they repeal it, there is  no consensus on how to do so .

from NHELP: Senators Cassidy (R-La.) and Collins (R-Maine) introduced the so-called "Patient Freedom Act" (PFA) as one alternative to replace the ACA. NHeLP's Director of Health Policy,  Leonardo Cuello , authored a new paper, " Nine Things to Know About the Cassidy-Collins Replacement ." His takeaway, the senators' bill is "a totally inadequate substitute for the ACA."  Please share Leo's paper widely with networks and on social media.  We're likely to see more potential "replacement" bills over the coming weeks. But right now, it's important to continue to register your concern about attempts to repeal without replacement as well as to oppose Rep. Tom Price for Secretary of HHS. See below for two action alerts. Action Alerts : Monday  - call senators on Senate Finance Committee to oppose the nomination of Tom Price to lead HHS Tuesday  &  Wednesday  - call senators and representatives to oppose ACA repeal,