Good Things Keep Happening Here

I saw in an update from the Maine House of Representatives that LD 1364 had been signed by the governor and passed into law. It came as a surprise.

LD 1364 An Act to Stimulate the Economy by Expanding Opportunities for Direct Care Support Aides was signed by Governor Baldacci on March 25th.

Click on the link and you'll see at the bottom of the page, "PUBLIC Law, Chapter 546." Click on any of the document links to see the text.

From the last work session I was at with 1364, I thought it was dead in the water.

Representative Matt Peterson was successful!

The original standard worker wage of $12 per hour was completely removed from the original bill, as was the language about standard reimbursement rates for all providers of personal assistance services. This language was removed because of the problems with the state budget.

What is in the bill is language defining "direct support aide", setting up the plan for developing direct support aide employment opportunities, and then setting up the multi-departmental oversight entity or advisory board to be responsible for and have authority to "implement and provide ongoing oversight and recommendations regarding direct support aide employment policies..."

This is some of the ideas and recommendations coming out of the Worker Taskforce that is a subset of the LEAN, our ideas and recommendations!

I think this may be a step in the right direction.

We'll have to keep an eye on DHHS to see if that work group does get put together.

We keep making small strides.

I thanked Elise Scala, from the Muskie School, for all her input with the worker taskforce and showing us how the current worker classification, or should I say, alphabet soup, is set up. To me, that was an extremely valuable presentation, a real eye opener. We have too many titles for the same core skills and supports we provide each and every day.

Missouri Medicaid Tries to Restrict Home Health Eligibility

from PHI - posted by Deane Beebe, written by Matt Ozga

Missouri's Department of Social Services has learned that it will be sanctioned by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for requiring that consumers be "confined to the home" to qualify for Medicaid-covered home health services.

Requiring someone to be homebound in order to receive home health services covered by Medicaid violates federal Medicaid law as interpreted by the Olmstead Update #3, issued by the federal Medicaid agency after the Supreme Court's 1999 Olmstead decision.

Read More...

Victory for Direct Care Workers and All Americans

From PHI - published by Allison Lee on March 22, 2010


We are celebrating for Cindy, John, Marva, Helen, and Linda and the tens of thousands of direct-care workers across the country who will now have affordable, quality health coverage. Last night the House of Representatives passed historic legislation that will slow the growth of health care costs, and improve access to quality health care for millions of Americans.


Insurance companies will no longer be able to undermine your health coverage. This is the end of the worst practices of the insurance industry—no more denials due to pre-existing conditions or dropping coverage for people who get sick. No longer will people go bankrupt because of illness and no hidden ceiling on your coverage.


Speaker Pelosi showed great leadership and members of Congress across the country rose to the occasion last night and voted FOR comprehensive reform.  You can find the roll call vote for the bill (H.R. 3590) online.  We thank them for their courage to ensure that quality health care is available to all of us and we ask that you do too.


In the coming weeks we will be analyzing how this legislation will impact the direct-care workforce.  Until then, join with us in celebrating.


Allison Lee
Federal Policy and Campaign Manager
PHI
alee@phinational.org

MAINE vs. ANTHEM

The cost of health insurance keeps skyrocketing, and Anthem keeps profiting. Now, they are suing the State for the right to charge Mainers even more for the health insurance we ALREADY cannot afford. But Anthem and Maine will square off in court on March 19, and Maine needs your help!

Join the Protest - Sign up Today by Clicking Here

For the last year, thousands of Mainers have been fighting Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield's attempts to jack up their premiums as much as 35% on individuals. We have worked together to get the state to make Anthem keep the rate hikes down, but now Anthem is suing the state for a guaranteed 3% profit. Dozens of organizations, faith leaders, and hundreds of activists are calling for a two-day mobilization in Portland right before the court hearing to show Anthem that Maine will NEVER back down in the fight for quality, affordable health care for all.

Join the Fight - Click Here to Get Involved

MARCH 18, 5 pm - RALLY & PROTEST!

The night before the hearing, join hundreds of Mainers outside the Cumberland County Courthouse to protest Anthem's greed.

MARCH 19, 8 am - PACK THE COURTHOUSE!

Help us fill the courtroom and park outside to support Maine 

in its fight against the greed that hurts our families.

Here's the skinny: Last year, Anthem asked for an 18% rate hike for certain policyholders. After holding hearings, Maine's Superintendent of Insurance denied that request but did grant Anthem a 10.9% rate increase. That wasn't enough for Anthem! They decided to file a lawsuit against the State of Maine to ensure a guaranteed profit at a time when many Mainers are struggling to just make ends meet. That case hasn't even been heard yet, and Anthem has already requested an additional 23% rate increase on the same policyholders on top of what they are suing for. Wellpoint, Anthem's parent company, made $2.7 billion dollars just in the 4th quarter of 2009, yet they are now asking Mainer's to pay even more.

We have a unique opportunity. The March 18 rally will have a strong impact by reminding the public that, without reform, they are left to the whim of Anthem's greed. Without passing health care reform, our elected officials will also be letting us down.

Now is the time to make a stand, and every person can make a difference. It will be exciting, historic and memorable - but it takes all of us standing together.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Impacting Your State's System - My Work Here in Maine

My update on the Home and Community Based Care System LEAN report being presented to the Health and Human Services Committee. This was published by the Direct Care Alliance.

I have been working with friends and allies across the state to push the Department of Health and Human Services to present the LEAN report. After meeting with Senator Mitchell's office and several others, it finally happened.

On February 24, Diana Scully, the Director of the Office of Elder Services, presented the report. She took the committee through the process we went through as part of the Lean Team and described the many issues workers face on a daily basis. Read more....

Maine House Votes to Pass Cap Bill

Bipartisan Bill would Remove Lifetime and Annual Caps from Health Insurance Policies

(Augusta) With bipartisan support the Maine house voted to pass a first in the country law which would eliminate lifetime and annual caps from health insurance plans in the state. Consumers for Affordable Health Care (CAHC) is thrilled by the House's 99-38 vote to pass LD 1620, "An Act to Protect Health Care Consumers from catastrophic Medical Debt." CAHC released a report in January, False Security: Health Insurance That Doesn't Pay When You Need It Most, which explains why getting rid of these caps is better for Maine people and our economy.

"To see Maine once again lead the nation with its protections for our people, is so exciting. It is great that we can protect people, who have worked hard and paid taxes and insurance premiums from losing their homes and life savings, just because they got sick - and at such a small cost. We don't need to wait years for proposed federal reforms to go into effect to protect Maine families and businesses. We hope the Senate supports this bipartisan bill and gives Maine people the immediate relief they need," says CAHC Executive Direct, Joe Ditre.

LD 1620 is sponsored by House Majority Whip Seth Berry and has 46 bipartisan co-sponsors.

"No Maine family should every have to risk losing their homes or their life savings because a family member has been diagnosed with cancer, hemophilia, AIDS, multiple sclerosis - or any other illness that tends to accrue medical bills quickly," said sponsor Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham. "In this tough economy, Maine families cannot afford to wait for the federal reforms to be enacted. It could take years and people need our support now."

Economists have proven that when people have good health coverage and can get the care they need when they need it, it cost to our economy and health care system is far less than when people are uninsured.

The Senate will take up the bill next week.

Budget Cuts Restored

From Senate President Libby Mitchell

In the coming weeks, I will be working with Governor Baldacci and the Legislature to ensure the restoration of proposed cuts to critical Maine services and schools. Among the Governor's revised budget restoration targets are:

• $37 million in health and human services, including increased support for nursing homes, assisted living facilities, disability services, mental health crisis intervention and home-based services, with alternatives reductions of $13 million and new initiatives of $5.3 million
• $20 million for K-12 education for FY 2011
• $8 million for higher education for FY 2011 ($6 million for the University of Maine System; $1.7 million for Maine Community College System; and $267,139 for Maine Maritime Academy)
• $6 million for municipal revenue sharing for FY 2010
• $3.5 million for retiree health
• Elimination of an $8.1 million payroll delay
• $1.75 million to fully fund the State's obligation for disaster assistance
• $2.6 million to pay for a job creation bond package  

Breakfast for Legislators at Food and Medicine in Brewer, Maine - February 20, 2010

The turnout was excellent; it turned into a standing room only situation.  There we were a sampling of an American community doing what America does better than any other culture or civilization that has ever existed on this planet.  We had a question and answer forum composed of leading Maine elected officials, and people, mostly activists, and community leaders concerned with community and state issues.

Present among the senators were; Senator Elizabeth Schneider, and Senator Richard Rosen:  Representatives were; Representative Adam Goode,  Representative Dick Blanchard, Representative Jim Martin, Representative John Piotti, Representative David Richardson, Representative Jim Schatz, and Representative Emily Caine, a member of the Appropriations Committee.

Jack McKay, Eastern Maine Labor Council President, welcomed everyone, and opened the session by introducing Laura Binger, coordinator for Food and Medicine.  Barbara Lambarada was the timekeeper, who gave a signal for all speakers after four minute presentations from the floor.  Barbara waved a colored flag to call time, if the speaker went too far over, Barbara had a wooden log that she assured us would stop the speaker.  We all knew the wooden log was only a laughing point, but few took a chance on going over the limit.

Laura Binger laid out the ground rules, and introduced the speakers.  The legislators had been briefed on the topics, but not the specifics.  When I was asked to present questions or concerns, I stated that I am not a politician, nor do I carry around statistics in my head, and with a four minute statement of my concerns could I touch on but little.

I spoke about one of the issues that I have recently been involved in, because of giving testimony in support of Representative Matt Peterson, LD 1078, a bill to improve conditions for consumers of home health care, and activities of daily living, and advocacy for direct care workers. 

I had worked on a task force that was called to implement that bill because it had already been signed into law.  Our job on the task force was to work on specifics to see what the improvements would look like. Coincidently I and my fellow workers who had done the work were at a session the following week with the Department of Human Services heads as they presented our report to the Health and Human Services Committee. 

One interesting point in all of this is two of my co-workers on this task force also attended the Voices institute, the significance being that I am also a graduate of the Voices Institute. I truly felt an air of empowerment at this breakfast. 

I requested the senators and legislators to support representative Matt Peterson in his efforts with his bills concerning consumers of in home health care services, and professionalization of home health care workers.

One of my last statements I needed to admit sounded almost egotistical, but there was truth when I stated that “if I ever found myself in need of help from direct care staff, I hope that they have as much knowledge as I possess, at the present time, due to experience, and training.  I believe that there was a little apprehension until we saw the department of Human Services presenting our work at the State Capitol.

The visit to the state capitol was a sort of continuation and anticlimax to that breakfast which I felt honored to attend. The two union members that I would like to mention are Dee Dee Strout, President of Maine PASA, and Helen Hanson, President of Local 771, of which I am Secretary. We all three are graduates of The Voices Institute.

submitted by Theodore Rippy, March 2, 2010

Independent living & disability rights advocate takes up the case of direct care workers

posted by Leonila Vega on the Direct Care Alliance's blog, February 25, 2010

On a recent trip to Maine, I sat down with Representative Matthew Peterson of District 92 to discuss his work on behalf of direct care workers in the state.  He has worked in direct care for years, and is currently an Independent Living Specialist at Alpha One, a center for independent living. As an elected official, Matthew is able to advocate for change in direct care and believes it is an essential and valuable workforce. It is inspiring and encouraging  – Matthew has linked his personal passion and commitment to independent living  to advocating the need for a well-trained, respected and well-paid direct care workforce. Watch the brief interview I was able to record with Matthew, below. 


Imagine if more disability leaders and independent living advocates joined the Direct Care Alliance  and made their voices heard on the issues that matter.  What if, like Matthew, you could advance change in your community, your state, and eventually, across the country?  Matthew shows that we can be heard. More importantly, Matthew shows that independent living and well trained, respected, well paid direct care workers are essential to autonmy and quality of services and supports for people living with disabilities.  Most of the issues Matthew discussed in the video apply to us all. There are more than 22,000 direct care workers in Maine, and despite the fiscal crisis Matthew has kept issues like livable wage and appropriate titles on the docket. He believes that there is no better advocate than the workers and consumers, and I couldn’t agree more.


Remember – we don’t have to be elected officials to have an impact. By being involved with the Direct Care Alliance and sharing your passion with others, you can advance change.  I hope you’ll continue working with me and with your colleagues across the country to make your voices heard.