2010 Legislative Session Wrap-Up

LaCAN’s advocacy led to significant reforms being made to Louisiana’s system of serving people with developmental disabilities. Some positive accomplishments included in House Bill 1 (ACT 11) that were aligned with LaCAN’s advocacy agenda include:

• 150 additional New Opportunities Waiver (NOW) Slots
• The closure of Northeast Supports and Services (Developmental) Center
• The downsizing of the remaining developmental centers by 20%
• 425 Children’s Choice Waiver Slots
• $4.2 Million to be used to speed up the processing of waiver slots and for one-time expenses for individuals with DD and their families (These funds were deposited into the Community and Family Support Fund from the sale of Metropolitan Developmental Center)

These accomplishments will move Louisiana forward in reducing its reliance on an outdated system of institutional care to provide services to individuals with developmental disabilities.

Unfortunately, massive budget deficits resulted in a 4.72% reduction to payments to Medicaid private providers. This includes providers of home and community based services. The Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) will determine how the cuts will be distributed. LaCAN members contacted DHH Secretary Alan Levine to encourage him to minimize the impact of the cuts to home and community based service providers which have already sustained several rounds of cuts.

Other legislation of interest from the 2010 Legislative Session

House Bill 1185 (ACT 305) – Changes the policy on the allocation of waiver slots. Once someone’s name reaches the top of the waiting list, instead of automatically receiving a NOW slot, they will be assessed to determine which waiver best meets their needs. This could include a Children’s Choice Waiver, Residential Options Waiver, or a Supports Waiver. But this change will not take place until rules are promulgated and the implementation details are developed. Stakeholders are encouraged to submit suggestions on how the policy should be implemented by emailing Shawn Fleming at shawn.fleming@la.gov or calling 800-450-8108.

HCR 94 – Suspends the law providing for the Direct Service Worker Registry and requires DHH to publish new rules for the Direct Service Worker Registry by January 1, 2011.

SCR 77 – Directs the Department of Health and Hospitals to investigate, study, and develop a plan or strategy to modernize and improve the state developmental centers, focusing particularly on an assessment of the current operation and maintenance of the existing developmental centers.

LaCAN’s Advocacy Actions

LaCAN members’ advocacy actions included:

• Providing testimony to the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Finance Committee.
• Hundreds of LaCAN members calling, emailing, and making personal visits to their legislators to educate them on critical issues.
• Hundreds of LaCAN members convening on the Capitol Steps for the 2010 Disability Rights Rally.

Although the 2010 legislative session has ended, LaCAN will continue its advocacy efforts. If you would like to become actively involved in advocating for home and community based services, please contact your regional LaCAN leader.