January 14, 2020

Update: Campaign for Vaccine Priority for New Yorkers With I/DD
On Tuesday, New York State announced an expansion of vaccine eligibility for people 65 years old and over and people who are immunocompromised, after the Center for Disease Control (CDC) modified their recommendations. New groups are regularly becoming eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, which is why we continue to fight for the inclusion of all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in Phase 1 of the State's vaccination plan. 

Earlier this week, The Arc New York launched a state-wide grassroots campaign, to advocate directly with state and federal representatives on this issue. Over the past several days, nearly 1,000 advocates have participated, generating over 5,400 connections with their elected leaders. While that is a great start, we still need your help to spread the word to your family and friends in New York. If you have not done so already, follow this link, provide your information, and the letter will be sent right to your representative's email. Share the campaign on social media to spread the word to other advocates after you send your message. 


The Washington Post published a story yesterday on the inconsistency in prioritizing people with disabilities in the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out. The story references the Syracuse University studies that emerged from the New York Disability Advocates (NYDA) COVID-19 data project, which includes the weekly Arc New York COVID-19 data. We began collecting weekly data on vaccinations this week to support our ongoing advocacy on this issue. 

NYDA Letter to Governor Cuomo Concerning DSP Crisis
As a member of New York Disability Advocates (NYDA), The Arc New York sent a letter to Governor Cuomo on Tuesday concerning the growing challenge with the recruitment and retention of Direct Support Professionals (DSP) in programs across the state. The letter cites the need for both urgent short-term support of the field and a long-term strategy to address structural problems for New York State's system of supports for people with I/DD. Proposals include: 
  • the establishment of a DSP workforce recruitment and retention emergency fund to allow providers to offer more competitive wages, 
  • utilization of unallocated CARES Act funding or enhanced FMAP funding, 
  • holding providers harmless when people they support decide to temporarily live with family due to COVID-19 cluster zone designation, 
  • providing flexibilities with on-the-job training, and 
  • regulatory relief.
The letter has already received news coverage and is being circulated on Twitter and other social media platforms. 
 
Developmental Disability Providers File Preliminary Injunction
New York State Developmental Disability Providers and family members of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities filed a preliminary injunction from the Court to prevent the implementation of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's (HHS) unlawful and unreasonable approval of New York State's cuts in the Medicaid payment rates for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) to individuals with disabilities. This action was taken in partnership with New York Disability Advocates (NYDA). More details can be found here.

Highlights from Governor Cuomo's First State of the State Address
This week, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo delivered his four-part 2021 State of the State address. The Governor's 2021 agenda theme is, "Reimagine - Rebuild - Renew." With a looming $15 billion deficit, the governor acknowledged a difficult fiscal year ahead, but was hopeful that federal assistance, changes to work force policy and rigorous investment in green jobs, and infrastructure would help reduce the strain now and into the future.

Requests of the federal government include the repeal of the federal deduction cap on State and Local Tax (SALT), increases to Medicaid reimbursement rates, and equitable infrastructure funding. The 2021-22 Executive Budget is expected to be released by or on Tuesday January 19 and include many of topics found within the governor's presentations. 

All four presentations and more detailed breakdowns can be found at the links below, followed by a summary of specific topics affecting the health and human services field. 


Medical Supplies Act
To combat future scarcity of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), the governor proposed the Medical Supplies Act, which would prioritize buying American-made PPE and medical supplies. This reduces dependency on foreign manufacturers and supply chain issues experienced throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Comprehensive Telehealth Legislation
Expansion of telehealth is a top advocacy priority of The Arc New York. The proposed legislation would adjust reimbursement incentives to encourage telehealth, eliminate outdated regulatory prohibitions on the delivery of telehealth, remove outdated location requirements, address technical unease among both patients and providers through training programs, and establish other programs to incentivize innovative uses of telehealth. Additional details can be found here. 

Free Citizen Public Health Training
The state has proposed a free online citizen public health training program, offered in partnership with Cornell University, to educate and certify New Yorkers to be prepared to volunteer and help their communities the next time there is a health emergency.

Increased Access to Broadband
Governor Cuomo reiterated the need for broadband expansion in rural and underserved areas, with a proposal to provide affordable internet to low-income families. Noting how the COVID-19 pandemic brought the classroom and office into the home, the need for broadband access is more salient than ever. No additional details were provided. 

We will keep you apprised as further details of the 2021 Agenda are released, and will continue to advocate for the inclusion of funding to support New Yorkers with I/DD in the 2021-22 New York State Budget. 
 
Federal Updates from The Arc of the United States
The Arc of the United States regularly updates the entire network of Arc chapters on legislative, administrative, and policy news from Washington and states around the country. Here are a few items of note as we lead up to the inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden next Wednesday, January 20.

President-elect Selects Cabinet Nominees
Over the last two months, President-elect Biden announced his choices for cabinet secretaries. Nominees important to disability policy include:
  • Attorney General: Merrick Garland, Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
  • Secretary of Education: Miguel Cardona, Education Commissioner of Connecticut
  • Secretary of Health and Human Services: Xavier Becerra, Attorney General of California and former Congressman
  • Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Representative Marcia Fudge (D-OH)
  • Secretary of Labor: Boston Mayor Marty Walsh
  • Secretary of Transportation: Pete Buttigieg, former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana
Hearings will likely begin for each nominee in the coming weeks. A simple majority vote in the Senate is required for confirmation.

New Congress Convenes
On January 5, the 117th Congress convened for the first time. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) was re-elected Speaker of the House.

Both parties held their leadership elections last year. Democrats re-elected Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) as Majority Leader, Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) as Majority Whip, and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) as Caucus Chair. Republicans re-elected Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as Minority Leader, Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) as Minority Whip, and Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) as Conference Chair.

The following were selected as committee chairs and ranking members, respectively:
  • Appropriations: Rep. David Scott (D-GA) and Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX)
  • Education and Labor: Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY) and Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC)
  • Energy and Commerce: Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA)
  • Judiciary: Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NJ) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH)
  • Ways and Means: Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA) and Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX)
On the Senate side, Republicans re-elected Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) as Majority Leader, Sen. John Thune (R-SD) as Majority Whip, and Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) as Republican Conference Chair. Similarly, Senate Democrats re-elected Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) as Minority Leader, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) as Minority Whip, and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) as Assistant Minority Leader. Republicans currently hold a majority of 51-48. As a result of the January 5 run-off election in Georgia, this balance will change to 50-50 once Georgia's Senators-elect are sworn in. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will have the power to cast a tie-breaking vote. We expect the Senate to establish new rules and conduct new elections following the swearing in of the Senators from Georgia
 
Introduction to The Arc of the United State Chapter Portal
As part of The Arc family, we have access to a wide range of resources as a result of our membership in The Arc of the US. Their Chapter Portal offers timely information that chapters can take advantage of, including advocacy resources and campaigns, marketing and branding templates, chapter discounts, and more. This Portal is for current board members, executives, and staff of chapters of The Arc.

Over the coming weeks, we will highlight resources found within The Arc US Chapter Portal. As this information is only available to The Arc chapters, you will need to register for an account if you have not already. The registration link can be found here. 
 
Contact: 
Philip Aydinian, Associate Executive Director for Governmental Affairs 

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