As disability advocates throughout California anxiously await the Administration’s FY2022-23 Budget May Revision, the California Senate and Assembly continue to work on legislation that impacts people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. 

In this newsletter, you will find many opportunities to add your voice to advocates throughout the state who are calling for action that positively impacts the lives of all Californians with disabilities. Particularly important are advocacy efforts to delay, by at least one year, plans to integrate people living in ICF settings to California’s managed care system and an acceleration of the implementation of the disability rate study, approved as part of the FY2021-22 state budget.

I understand your time is valuable, but your advocacy efforts continue to have a major impact in Sacramento and have made a real difference in the lives of people with disabilities. 

Thank you for your continued advocacy efforts and all you do for people with developmental disabilities.

Lori Anderson, President & CEO

Momentum’s VoterVoice Advocacy Center

Advocacy Contacts

Governor Gavin Newsom
Phone: (916) 445-2841
Fax: (916) 558-3160
Internet Contact Form Access – Here

Twitters: @GavinNewsom
@CAgovernor

Find Your Representatives

Use the links below to identify your representatives and let your opinion be heard.

U.S. House of Representatives
U.S. Senate
California State Legislature

California News

Momentum Joins California Disability Advocates in Calling for Acceleration of Rate Study to Address DSP Workforce Crisis

Momentum has joined advocates and disability service providers throughout California in calling for an acceleration of the $1.8 billion investment in California’s intellectual and developmental disability service system that was included in last year’s California state budget. These funds were scheduled to be invested over five years.

Specifically, the request seeks to accelerate the implementation of the Department of Developmental Services Rate Study by one year at an approximate cost of $330 million. The proposal also seeks to update the rate models, based on lessons learned through the pandemic, to support California’s transition to an outcome-based system.

All self-advocates, families and staff are urged to contact their elected officials in Sacramento to urge their support of an acceleration of the approved disability rate study. Please take 60 seconds today and click here to act!

Advocacy Still Needed to Delay ICF Carve-In to CalAIM Managed Care

All disability advocates are encouraged to visit Momentum’s VoterVoice online advocacy center to contact their state officials to urge a delay in integrating individuals living in ICF-DD into CalAIM, California’s managed care funding system. Momentum has joined with the California Association of Health Facilities (CAHF), the Disabilities Services Network (DSN), the California Association of Health Plans (CAHP) and the Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA) in calling for a delay of at least one year of the carve-in of Intermediate Care Facilities for the Developmentally Disabled (ICF-DD) into managed care under CalAIM.

The request for a minimum of a one-year delay is necessary to ensure a successful transition to managed care for people residing in ICF-DD settings. Currently, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is planning to integrate or “carve-in” ICF-DD into managed care under CalAIM on January 1, 2023. However, in a recent communication from DHCS, a consultant admitted that staff were still working on “broad” integration issues and had yet to work through ICF-DD specific questions. 

Given the complexity of the CalAIM transition for homes and residents, the myriad of other delivery system changes occurring in Medi-Cal, as well as the current operating environment from ongoing COVID-19 related impacts, it is essential that more time be given to work out the details and to allow for additional stability in the disability support system before this significant change takes place.

All self-advocates, advocates and family members of people residing in ICF-DD settings are strongly encouraged to contact their legislators to ask for a delay to at least January 1, 2024, for the planned carve-in of ICF-DD-H and ICF-DD-N into CalAIM managed care. Please act today by clicking here to visit Momentum’s VoterVoice site.

The ARC and UCP California Collaborative Recognizes State Legislative Champions

The ARC and UCP California Collaborative presented seven California state legislators with Legislative Champion Awards at their recent 15th Annual Developmental Disabilities Public Policy Conference. 

The awards were presented to recognize the efforts of these leaders in addressing the needs of people with developmental disabilities and their efforts toward stability and longevity of the state disability system. The following legislators were recognized at the conference:  

• Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula (AD-31)
• Senator Pro Tempore Toni Atkins (SD-39)
• Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman (SD-5)
• Assemblymember Devon Mathis (AD-26)
• Senator Nancy Skinner (SD-9)
• Senator Phil Ting (AD-19) 

In addition to the Legislative Champion Awards, the Collaborative presented Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Kevin Mullin (AD-22) with the Lifetime Achievement Award to recognize his many years of commitment to people with developmental disabilities during his years in the California Legislature.

Constituents of the above legislators are encouraged to reach out, congratulate them for this honor and thank them for their service and commitment to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You can identify your elected officials and get contact information for their offices by clicking here.

Seizure Safe School Act Passed by Assembly Education Committee

AB1810, the Seizure Safe School Act, has been voted out of the California Assembly Education and Judiciary committees. This important bill, which will continue through the legislative process, helps to improve the care of students with epilepsy and seizures in California.

The Seizure Safe Schools Act would: 

• Safeguard physician-directed care by allowing schools to designate one or more volunteer employees to receive training on seizure recognition and response and administration of emergency anti-seizure medications.
• Establish minimum training standards for school employees who volunteer to support students with epilepsy or seizures.
• Support the development of seizure action plans for students with epilepsy or seizures and identify students eligible for Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and Section 504 accommodations.
• Guarantee legal protections for school employees who volunteer to support a student with epilepsy or seizures and administer emergency anti-seizure medication.

Advocates can visit the Momentum VoterVoice online advocacy page and help push this important protection for California students across the finish line by clicking here.

National News

U.S. Senate Committee Hearing Focuses on Importance of Increased Federal Investments in Medicaid HCBSOn Wednesday, March 23, the U.S. Senate held a hearing on home and community-based services called “An Economy That Cares: The Importance of Home-Based Services.”

The hearing, led by committee chair Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), focused on the need for an investment this year in the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program to avoid the economic repercussions resulting from the exodus of direct care workers from the workforce and family caregivers being forced to reduce hours or leave the workforce to care for family members. Senator Casey stressed that the temporary American Rescue Plan funds for the HCBS program were just the start and that Congress needs to make a “much greater investment . . . to bring relief to families.”

Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) also spoke during the hearing in favor of the need to invest in the HCBS program. Ranking member of the committee Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) provided an opening statement that stressed the need for more self-directed care. 

To view a recording of the hearing on the committee website, click here.

National Advisory Committee on Individuals with Disabilities and Disasters Holds Inaugural Meeting

On March 30, the new National Advisory Committee on Individuals with Disabilities and Disasters (NACIDD) and the National Advisory Committee on Seniors and Disasters held a joint inaugural public meeting. Committee members were sworn in with remarks from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response and the HHS Administration for Community Living.

The purpose of the NACIDD is to meet the unique needs of individuals with disabilities by evaluating issues and programs and providing recommendations to support and enhance public health, medical preparedness, and emergency response activities. The NACIDD advises the Secretary of HHS on actions related to disasters and emergencies.

Momentum staff will be contacting members of the NACIDD to ensure they consider the unique needs of people with significant mobility disabilities during natural disasters that require evacuations and relocation, including the need to include fully accessible restrooms using Refresh as a model for a fully inclusive mobile option. Learn more about Momentum Refresh by clicking here.

Administration for Community Living and HHS Release Preparing for Medicaid Changes When the Public Health Emergency Expires

Federal and state government agencies have started reviewing policies that were put in place to meet the needs of states, localities, and the public during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. When the federal declaration of a public health emergency (PHE) expires, many of the flexibilities initiated during the PHE will need to be rolled back. The Administration for Community Living (ACL) has released a fact sheet describing those flexibilities and what will happen when the PHE expires. This return to pre-pandemic operations will have far-reaching impacts on people with disabilities. Changes in Medicaid enrollment and eligibility will be particularly important—and potentially confusing or disruptive—for current enrollees. Disability networks can prepare in advance for the coming changes to best meet the needs of people who rely on Medicaid coverage for essential services and supports. The ACL urges people with disabilities and their support network to take the following steps in preparation for the expiration of the PHE: 

• Medicaid beneficiaries should make sure their Medicaid agency has their current contact information. They should check their mail and be sure to mail back any Medicaid forms they receive. 
• Beneficiaries should request renewal forms and notices that are accessible to people with limited English proficiency and people with disabilities. 
• Many people who are no longer eligible for Medicaid will have other coverage options that they should seek out. 
• If someone is disenrolled or their Medicaid coverage changes and they disagree with their state Medicaid agency’s decision, they can and should appeal.

 Anyone impacted by the end of the PHE should visit the ACL website and download Preparing for Medicaid Changes When the Public Health Emergency Expires by clicking here.

Advocacy Events

U.S. Access Board Meeting and Webcast in May

All self-advocates and advocates are encouraged to attend the next bi-monthly meeting of the U.S. Access Board, which will be open to the public and take place virtually on Wednesday, May 11 from 4:00 – 5:15 pm PT. The agenda for the meeting includes recognition of outgoing Board members, the introduction of new Board member appointees, brief reports from standing and ad hoc Board committees and the Executive Director, and remarks from Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Members of the public may join the meeting through the Zoom platform or by calling (646) 828-7666 using meeting ID 161 678 5115. For further information, contact Rose Marie Bunales at events@access-board.gov..

Advocacy Resources

Reference Guide to Federal Medicaid Statute and Regulations

The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) is a non-partisan legislative branch agency that provides policy and data analysis and makes recommendations to Congress, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the states on a wide array of issues affecting Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Update on Home and Community-Based Services Spending Plan

As a part of the 2021‑22 budget, the state was required to submit a package of home and community‑based services (HCBS) enhancements—known as the HCBS spending plan—to the federal government as a condition of drawing down additional federal funds resulting from a temporary ten percentage point increase to the federal Medicaid match rate. This report by the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) provides an update on the status of the HCBS spending plan. Access the report by clicking here.

The 2022‑23 Budget – Department of Developmental Services

This report, published by the California Legislative Analyst’s Office, provides an overview of the proposed 2022‑23 Department of Developmental Services (DDS) budget and an assessment of the three main new discretionary proposals. Access the report by clicking here.

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