Governor LePage has submitted his budget that will have a significant impact on services to people with cognitive disabilities.

This link details the cuts and their costs:

http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/budget/index.shtml

The sections that most affect people with cognitive disabilities are:

Targeted Case Management:

The Governor is calling for the complete elimination of this service.

Almost every person with a cognitive disability (also known as developmental disability) has a case manager; this will eliminate both state case workers and case managers who work for private agencies.

Because there is a wait list for all other services, for many individuals and families, this is the only service they receive. A case manager assists families and individuals to access the services they need.  This includes insuring that clients remain eligible for Social Security and state benefits as well as help with doctors and other appointments.

We particularly need your help in fighting the cut to this service- It will not only affect families and those receiving the services, but also those graduating from high school, they will literally be left with no supports, the safety net will gone. 

We need your help in stopping this cut!

Below is a link that provides the name of your legislator, including their email and phone number. While any contact is important, a legislator will tell you a phone call is the most effective.

PNMI:  The Governor’s proposed budget calls for the elimination of this program. The good news is the Legislature appears to have rejected this outright. PNMI, or Private Non Medical Institution, is a Medicaid funding source that has been used by Maine as a catch-all to provide a wide range of services to people, including those with Alzheimer’s, mental illness, and people with developmental disabilities.

MR Waiver: The Waiver is the funding source for over 90% of residential and day services for people with cognitive disabilities.  The waiver s is the single largest portion of the budget that goes to people with cognitive disabilities.

The Governor is proposing:

-A 10% cut in funding for residential services.

-A cap on what can be spent for one individual receiving residential supports. -Elimination of medical and behavioral add-ons. This allows agencies to request additional funds for people with high medical needs or challenging behaviors.

These cuts would have a significant impact on agencies.  There is a budget deficit and we need to work with both the Governor and Legislator to find ways to reduce the cost of services that have the least impact on the people who receive services. 

Please contact your legislator, the link below will give your their contact information

http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/jt_list_alpha.htm

** In the Governor’s budget proposal it identifies the saving for each cut.  The saving is state dollars.  Those dollars actually bring in about an additional 2/3rds in federal Medicaid funds.  For instance, in Targeted Case Management the saving is listed as 2.2 million, the actual reduction is closer to 6 million dollars.