NYS Senate and Assembly One-house Budget Bills
The NYS Senate and Assembly both released their one-house budget bills for FY 21-22. We are pleased to report that both houses included language to restore funding for OPWDD supports and services including the 1% COLA, 5% Aid to Localities reduction, 1% targeted reduction, and more! Additionally, meetings are already underway to discuss the flexibility of federal funding above and beyond restorations. This is great news and a direct result of everyone’s hard-fought advocacy on our budget priorities.
We will continue to meet with our representatives to thank them for the proposed restorations and urge them to remain diligent as budget negotiations continue with the governor’s office. To support that effort, New York Disability Advocates (NYDA) and numerous family advocacy groups will be holding a virtual rally next Wednesday, March 24 at noon. We encourage you to save the date and join the rally on Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/thearcny.
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Below are some of the relevant highlights found in the Senate and Assembly budget bills:
- The Senate is committed to using all available resources to restore funding for the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities that may have been adversely impacted by the fiscal crisis caused by the COVID-19 epidemic.
- The Senate demands that OPWDD streamline their administrative processes in order to ensure that providers may utilize all available beds to meet rising demand.
- The Senate modifies the Executive recommendation of $2.6 billion as follows:
- Rejects 1 percent Medicaid rate cut;
- Provides $1 million for residential facilities to provide high-speed internet service;
- Provides $26.9 million for Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA);
- Restores $12 million for 5 percent Aid to Localities funding;
- Restores $20.8 million for Care Coordination Organization rates; and
- Restores $440,000 in legislative additions.
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Article VII Proposal (S.2507-B)
- NEW PART QQ - The Senate advances language that would require OPWDD residential facilities to provide access to high speed internet service to their residents.
- Part F - The Senate modifies the Executive proposal on comprehensive regulatory telehealth reform by maintaining flexibilities with distant sites, adding certified peer recovery advocates as eligible providers, and creating reimbursement parity for services delivered by telehealth.
- For services and expenses related to Residential Services: 26,588,000
- For services and expenses related to restoring Care Coordination Organization rates: 20,823,000
- For services and expenses related to Residential Reserve Replacement (RRR) Allowance: 6,907,000
- For services and expenses related to local assistance payments for non-Medicaid payments under the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (5% cut): 12,000,000
- For services and expenses related to the fee-for-service Medicaid Rate for Office for People with Disabilities programs (1% targeted cut): 10,500,000
- For services and expenses of the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities associated with a group home pilot program for individuals with developmental disabilities: 10,000,000
General Conference Committee Appointments
Home and Community Based Services Access Act
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) released a discussion draft of the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Access Act for stakeholder feedback. The proposal seeks to mandate HCBS supports and services for people with I/DD, eliminate waiting lists, create national minimum requirements, and provide additional federal resources. Additional, the proposed legislation seeks to support Direct Support Professionals (DSP) with increased wages and opportunities to expand their career.
The bill proposes a 100% federal match for HCBS programs and additional grants to support the implementation and expansion of new and existing supports and services. More information can be found here.
The Arc US released a statement applauding the "real solutions" in the draft bill. The Arc has advocated for deinstitutionalization and community-based services for over 70 years. This legislation is a direct result of the tenacity and hard work from families, self-advocates, and Arc Chapters throughout the years.
Disability Policy Seminar Registration and Update
This year's Disability Policy Seminar may be virtual, but The Arc US is still bringing content you can't get anywhere else and won't want to miss! Participants will learn from Congressional insiders and seasoned grassroots advocates about expanding access to community living and how the disability community is navigating new realities in the midst of COVID-19. The seminar culminates in a Virtual Hill Day on Thursday, April 22. Advocates can bring their newly honed skills and knowledge straight to elected officials, virtually engaging with their Members of Congress and staff to advocate for important policy initiatives.
Each state will be organized into delegations led by State Captains. Philip Aydinian from The Arc New York will be one of our state captains.
The past year has been a painful reminder that while we have made great progress in the fight for disability rights and inclusion, but there is still much work to be done. Register for the Disability Policy Seminar and add your voice to this critical effort!
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Contact: Philip Aydinian, Associate Executive Director for Governmental Affairs
This email was sent to:
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