News
CCAP CONGRATULATES TWO PACA MH/DS LEADERS
 
CCAP presented Past President Don Clark and Current President Dan Eisenhauer with CCAP's 2018 Outstanding Affiliate of the Year Award. Their leadership has created new options for counties to work collaboratively with the Commonwealth to improve county oversight of community developmental disability services. Their actions continue to create opportunities to increase county responsibility and authority while developing a sound infrastructure that can be replicated statewide. The development and implementation of the LEAP for review of cases requesting increased funds balances the fiscal review with the individual's need for community services and supports. This sound program approach is now adopted by ODP and these two leaders have initiated a training collaborative to engage other counties in the process.
 
MATP MODEL TO CHANGE TO BROKERAGE MODEL
 
During the July 28 Medical Assistance Advisory Committee, the Office of Medical Assistance Programs announced the development of a statewide or regional full risk brokerage model for Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP). The office will issue a Request for Proposals by January 2019. The new state plan will have to be submitted to CMS for approval. The goal of the RFP is to establish a one call system for medial and non-medical transportation services. The Department will seek public input from the MAAC Subcommittee members and has already developed conversations with the County Commissioners of Pennsylvania (CCAP) to address the concerns and unique challenges of each of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania.
 
CMS GUIDANCE REGARDING OVERSIGHT OF GROUP HOMES
 
The Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) has released an informational bulletin to address issues outlined in a joint report titled Ensuring Beneficiary Health and Safety in Group Homes Through State Implementation of Comprehensive Compliance Oversight  (issued January 17, 2018). The bulletin addresses one of three suggestions made to CMS in the report: "encourage states to implement compliance oversight programs for group homes, such as the Model Practices , and regularly report to CMS." Model practices described for a robust state oversight framework. Learn more about the model practices and read the new informational bulletin for more details.
 
PA MEETS IDEA STANDARDS
 
The U.S. Department of Education released a report of their 2018 annual assessment of state compliance with the Individual with Disabilities Education Act. Pennsylvania is one of the 21 states that meets the requirements for education of students with disabilities ages three to twenty one. Twenty-eight states were in need of assistance while Michigan and District of Columbia are in need of intervention.
 
PA MINIMUM WAGE AND OVERTIME RULE COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED
 
In June, PACA MH/DS reported on the proposed update to executive, administrative and professional exemptions from minimum wage and overtime by the PA Department of Labor. The proposed threshold is $47,892. The comment period has been extended from July 23 to August 22. More details are available Independent Regulation Review Commission . Direct comments to Bryan Smolock, Director, Bureau of Labor Law Compliance, Department of Labor and Industry at bsmolock@pa.gov .  
 
DHS SELECTS NEW STATEWIDE VENDOR FISCAL/EMPLOYER AGENT
 
The Department of Human Services announced Palco, Inc. has been selected to serve as its Vendor Fiscal/Employer Agent (VF/EA) for individuals who self-direct their waiver services. Palco will enroll new participants and ensure transition of the current program by 10/1/2018. Palco is available by phone at 866-710-0456 or via email at PAODP@palcofirst.com .
                                                                                                                                 
PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION COMMEMORATES ADA ANNIVERSAY
 
President Trump issued a proclamation to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA assures rights to more than 58 million individuals with disabilities and is a cornerstone to community living.
 
CONGRESS CONSIDERS THREE DIGIT SUICIDE HOTLINE
 
This month the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2345, the Suicide Prevention Hotline Improvement Act, which mirrors the Senate's bill passed in November. The bill, which now moves on to the president for signature, requires the Federal Communications Commission to study the steps necessary to create a three-digit suicide prevention hotline and evaluate the effectiveness of the current suicide prevention hotline (1-800-273-TALK).
 
ELECTRONIC VIST AND VERIFICATION DELAY BILL PASSED OUT OF CONGRESS
 
The Electronic Visit and Verification Delay bill, H.R. 6042 , passed out of Congress unanimously on July 17. The bill creates a one year delay to implement the electronic visit verification (EVV) requirements. The bill notes the need for stakeholder input on the recently issued guidance, particularly to assure that the requirements are not burdensome for persons receiving personal care services.
 
U.S. HOUSE PASSES BILL TO STRENGTHEN REVIEW OF UNFUNDED MANDATES  
  
The Unfunded Mandates and Reform Act recently saw movement in Congress, approved by the U.S. House by a 230-168 vote . The law limits the imposition of unfunded federal mandates through legislation on state and local governments. H.R. 50 would strengthen the required analyses of pending legislation and set criteria to guide federal agencies to analyze the effects of federal regulatory actions on state and local governments. Mandate reform is also a top priority in 2018 for PA counties who seek to re-engage the state and federal government in understanding the state-county partnership in service delivery
 
MEDICAID WORK REQUIREMENTS CONTINUE TO FACE CHALLENGES
 
A federal court case invalidated the Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) work requirements as proposed by Kentucky. The court decision noted that the waiver as proposed appears to violate the primary purpose for Medicaid to provide health coverage. Since the case cannot be appealed, CMS must review the decision and create a new case for future consideration.
 
FUNDING AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS EATING DISORDERS
 
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced $3.75 million in funding to enhance training efforts to address eating disorders. SAMHSA plans to issue one grant of $750,000 per year for five years. Applications are due by August 17, 2018. More information is available online .
 
NACO CREATES ONLINE OPIOID EPIDEMIC RESOURCE CENTER
 
The National Association of Counties has numerous resources and information available online at their Opioid Epidemic Resource Center. The website contains information on various national, state and county legislation and activities that are aimed at addressing the opioid epidemic.
 
COMPLEX CARE MODELS INTO THE COMMUNITY WEBINAR
 
The Centers for Health Care Strategies is holding a webinar on August 16 from 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has secured speakers to share their experiences building effective care models to address social determinants of health, developing tools to support community-based team members and a business approach to support the complex care models. Registration is available online .
 
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONFERENCE
 
The Annual National Dialogues on Behavioral Health Conference will be held in New Orleans on October 28-31. More information is available online .