Family Voices Indiana

April 20, 2017   Andy Schneider There are non-alternative reports that the White House and the Republican Congressional leadership are planning for a vote next week on legislation to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  Details as to what that legislation actually says are not yet available, but it’s likely that it will contain a cap on federal Medicaid spending along the lines of what was in the “repeal and replace” legislation pulled by the House Republican leadership without a vote on March 24. In that bill, ironically titled American Health Care Act, the Medicaid cap was one of the two main sources of the $839 billion cut in federal Medicaid spending used to offset most of the $999 billion in lost federal revenues resulting from the repeal of the taxes used to pay for the ACA coverage expansions.  In some quarters, repealing the ACA taxes remains a high priority, and Medicaid is still the “go to” source for budget offsets. Despite the lack of hearings

Contributed by Dr. Cathy Pratt, BCBA-D Director, Indiana Resource Center for Autism Parents recognizing the importance of early intervention and the research behind ABA, often have questions about locating and choosing specific ABA programs and providers. As the demand has grown, so too has the number of options available. ABA providers and centers are multiplying across the state of Indiana. In some areas of the state, the options are fewer or harder to access. In areas that offer many options, parents often have a difficult time choosing the right center/provider for their child and family. Because these centers/providers use somewhat different approaches and interact with families in different ways, it may be hard to know which center or provider will best meet their needs. Below are a list of questions that can help guide you in the process of finding a provider or center that best fits your child’s and families’ needs. Are your staff Board Certified? Note: You want to

Indiana Title V Family Delegate The IN Title V Family Delegate is an active advocate and model of family leadership for all families with special health care needs statewide and represents Indiana on a national level. The Title V Family Delegate is responsible for providing the parent perspective to the IN Title V program. The Family Delegate will serve as the lead Parent Consultant to the Children’s Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) and Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Divisions at the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH).  The primary responsibility of the delegate will be to plan for and administer the CSHCS Family Advisory Council. Offering your time and becoming an Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) Family Delegate will open various opportunities to meet other leaders within your state and country.  Family participation will play a major role within your program or the capacity in which you will serve. AMCHP offers Family Delegates the opportu

from the  Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: Medicaid provides  affordable and comprehensive health coverage  to over 30 million children. It also plays a little known but important role in supporting schools and making sure students, especially those with disabilities, get the care and services they need to succeed. For eligible children, Medicaid pays for the medical services schools provide to students with disabilities so they can get an education. Medicaid also pays for health services that all children need, such as vision and dental screenings, and schools can also help enroll eligible but unenrolled children in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and connect them to other health care services and providers. Medicaid helps schools by reducing special education and other health care-related costs, freeing up funding in state and school budgets to help advance other education initiatives.  Capping and cutting federal Medicaid funding , as the Ho

from NHELP: On  April 19  Demand That Congress Protect Our Health Care and #RejectRepeal. Tell Congress to Stop Trying to Repeal the Affordable Care Act and Slash Medicaid. Tell Congress to Stop Trying Take Away Our Care.   1. Call Congress 1-866-426-2631     2. Go to a town hall Find one at  ResistanceRecess.com     3. Flood social media #RejectRepeal #ProtectOurCare See  #SaveMyCare  for Social Media Messaging and Images NO    to any bill that caps or cuts Medicaid NO    to any bill that ends or harms Medicaid expansion NO    to any bill that harms the ACA NO    to any bill that cuts health care for women NO    to any bill that cuts health care for children NO    to any bill that cuts health care for people with disabilities NO    to any bill that increases health care costs on the elderly NO   to any bill that allows health insurance companies to drop essential health benefits NO   to any bill that decreases the n

Please share this alert with others. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid are under serious threat in Congress (more below): *   ALL  children, adults and seniors who get coverage through Medicaid – including through waivers -- are at risk. *   People who get insurance from their employers or individually through an Exchange or otherwise are also at risk of losing protections and benefits, and of having premiums and out-of-pocket costs increase. WHAT TO DO :  Please  CALL  your U.S. Representative in Congress.  It is fine to call after hours and leave a message. Call the DC office, and their local office too if you can.   (Instructions for calling are below.) Tell them: I have a child with special health care needs (specify). My child’s health and my family’s well-being depend on our health care coverage.  The coverage we have now (through Medicaid or ACA or other) is working for us.  If my child loses this health care coverage, he/she will not get the ___ [examp