SCI Network January 2005 Newsletter

Spinal Cord Injury Network

Bar to separate page sections, Bar looks like a piece of chain

SCI CONNECTOR January 2005

ADAPT CHALLENGES NGA ON MEDICAD BIAS

For information:

Marsha Katz 406/544-9504
Bob Kafka 512/431-4085

ADAPT, the largest grassroots activist disability rights organization in the country, is challenging the National Governors Association (NGA) to endorse a policy that would call for elimination of the current institutional bias that exists in the Medicaid funding of the nation's long term care system.

The NGA Health and Human Services Committee is considering a resolution submitted by Governor Rendell of Pennsylvania that would:

Call on Congress to pass legislation that would eliminate the current Medicaid institutional bias and give people with disabilities and older Americans a "Real Choice" for long term care options;
Call on States to more aggressively implement the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision that ruled people with disabilities and older Americans had a right to choose services and supports in the "most integrated setting" according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA);
To oppose any block grant or cap on funding of the Medicaid program.

This resolution will go to the full membership of the NGA for a final vote on March 1st at the NGA's Winter Conference in Washington, DC. Currently, about 70% of long term care dollars are spent on nursing home and other institutional services, leaving only 30% for all in-home community services--even though the public overwhelmingly wants long term care services provided in their own homes and communities. These services are less expensive than institutional services. States are currently confronting rising Medicaid costs due, in some part, because of costly institutional services.

"The system is broken and needs reform," said Bob Kafka, ADAPT National Organizer. "The NGA should send a message by passing this resolution that people with disabilities and older Americans should be served with dignity and respect in their own homes and communities and not be forced to live in a nursing home or other institution."

Disability rights activists from across the country will be in DC on March 1st when the NGA considers the resolution for passage.-- For more information on ADAPT visit our website at http://www.adapt.org/

OLMSTEAD, HOUSING & THE NFI

On February 1, 2005, HUD issued a very important NoticePIH 2005-5(HA) at http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/publications/notices/05/pih2005-5.pdf.

HUD's Notice ties together Housing Vouchers, Olmstead, Waivers, the New Freedom Initiative, and the President's Exec.Order 13217, that "promotes community-based alternatives, rather than institutional settings. "Here is what HUD has told your local Housing Authorities what they must do and is required for persons with disabilities regarding Housing Vouchers.

The Notice says "Sixty days is the minimum voucher term [to search] for a unit. However, there is no maximum term." While the search terms is not indefinite, "search terms should be generous to maximize the family's opportunity to find suitable [accessible] housing."
The Notice says Housing Authorities must provide "families with a disabled person a LIST OF ACCESSIBLE units know to the PHA." Most Housing Authorities regularly publish a list of units available to Section 8 voucher holders. Disability advocates must get those lists and check if "accessible" units are listed (including distribution by unit size) and identified as accessible. If accessible units are not identified and listed, you must force them to find and identify such units. If they do not, then the HA may violate both the ADA and Section 504 because its Housing Voucher program, "when viewed in the entirety" does not provide "meaningful access" to disabled persons.
The Notice says Housing Authorities "should offer specialized housing search assistance to families with a disabled person to locate accessible units if requested." Disability advocates must push this and have disabled persons "request" such assistance. Maybe we should give a national award for "the best" Housing Authority that provides assistance in finding accessible units.
The Notice says Housing Authorities must provide a list of other agencies, including CILs, P&As, other housing programs that may provide assistance in "funding for moving expenses or security deposits." Disability advocates should ask their Housing Authorities for this list. If none exists, ask your Housing Authority to join you in locating such assistance, for example, from the federal Community Development Block Grants or HOME funding, both can and maybe do provide for such expenses. What about home modification funds?
The Notice says Housing Authorities "may provide a preference or a set-aside for admission of families with a disabled person." Disability advocates must organize to force your Housing Authority to establish such preferences and set-asides, including for vouchers that turn over. The Notice says "To assist persons with disabilities transitioning out of institutional settings, PHAs are encouraged to contact their State Medicaid agencies to determine the availability of waivers."

In addition to the vouchers earmarked for disabled persons, a few years ago, HUD issued a Notice of Funding Availability for nearly 90,000 Fair Share Vouchers. Housing authorities that said they would use 15% for persons with disabilities and another 3% of the vouchers for persons on a Waiver, received extra points from HUD.

The Notice says that your Housing Authority must make sure that "all non-elderly disabled families on a PHA's waiting list have been issued ...turnover vouchers, and PHA [must have] outreach efforts specifically directed to non-elderly disabled families."

HUD's Notice further states "FAILURE TO SERVE DISABLED FAMILIES AS REQUIRED WILL RESULT IN FORFEITURE OF THE VOUCHERS."

Disability advocates must do two things: First, did you local Housing Authority receive these Fair Share Vouchers and if yes, did they tell HUD they would use them for either disabled persons and/or persons on Medicaid Waivers? Second, if you do not know if your Housing Authority applied and received these Vouchers, and you agree (if your Housing Authority did receive them) to go to your Housing Authority to find out how your Housing Authority awarded the vouchers to disabled persons and persons on Medicaid Waivers, send an email to stevegoldada@cs.com and tell me the name of your state and then the city or county Housing Authority.

If you will not use this information this way, please do not ask for the information. Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues. Back issues of other Information Bulletins are available online at http://www.stevegoldada.com with a searchable Archive at this site divided into different subjects. To contact Steve Gold directly, write to stevegoldada@cs.com

NSCIA LAUNCHES HALL OF FAME AT NATIONAL SUMMIT

The National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA) announces the Summit on Spinal Cord Injury and the Spinal Cord Injury Hall of Fame May 9-11, 2005 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC.

The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation and the Medtronic Foundation are co-sponsoring the event. The Kennedy Center Accessibility Program is co-sponsoring the Spinal Cord Injury Hall of Fame which will be held the evening of May 9, 2005 at the prestigious John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

A highlight of the Summit will be the first SCI Hall of Fame Inductee Ceremony to recognize leaders and organizations for their significant achievements in promoting positive awareness of and dedication to the needs, contributions and achievements of individuals following injury. This notable, well-publicized event will follow a concert at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage.

Nominations for the Hall of Fame must be received no later than February 23, 2004. See the NSCIA website for more information on the Summit and Hall of Fame, www.spinalcord.org. The SCI Summit and Hall of Fame have been designed as unique, high profile, media focus events. NSCIA is offering variety of sponsorship opportunities that provide high visibility throughout the events and in targeted follow up materials and venues. For more information on sponsorship, contact Eric Larson at 847-997-2109 or via email at elarson75@msn.com.

Send comments to:SCI Network