NYSACRA

HOUSE APPROVES  $2.4 TRILLION BUDGET
RESOLUTION

THAT EFFECTIVELY INCLUDES MEDICAID CUTS

Last night the U.S. House of Representatives approved its version of the fiscal year 2005 budget resolution by a vote of 215 to 212.  This was a close vote with all Democrats opposing the resolution with no NYS Republicans joining in that opposition.

The House Budget Resolution contains reconciliation instructions that effectively cut $2.2 billion of federal dollars to Medicaid.  The Senate Budget Resolution does not.  Lawmakers will now have to reconcile the differences in the chambers' versions in a House and Senate conference committee.  The reconciled report from the conference committee will then face another vote in both the House and the Senate.  The budget resolution is a nonbinding blueprint that helps shape annual tax, entitlement, and appropriations decisions.  Congress has already begun the process of hearings and testimony o­n behalf of each of the 13 annual appropriations bills. NYSACRA will contact you when the House and Senate conferees are appointed encouraging further action! 
See
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d108:h.con.res.00393:

NEW FREEDOM INITIATIVE AWARD
NOMINATIONS OPEN

The U.S. Department of Labor has opened nominations for the New Freedom Initiative Award.  This award will recognize nonprofits, small businesses, corporations, and people who have demonstrated exemplary and innovative efforts in furthering the employment and workplace environment for people with disabilities.  

See
http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA2004315.htm for more info. 
Nominations are due May 21^st.

28 COMPANIES ARE SELECTED TO PROVIDE
DRUG DISCOUNTS

HHS announced Thursday that it had selected 28 companies to provide drug discount cards to Medicare recipients.  The cards are intended mainly for people who have no insurance for prescription costs and should cut retail prices by 10 percent to 25 percent.  "The savings will be much closer to 25 percent," Mr. Thompson predicted.  But the law does not require or guarantee a specific level of savings, and the promised savings could be partly offset by recent increases in the prices of many drugs used by the elderly and the disabled.  The cards are supposed to be an interim measure until a full-fledged drug benefit begins in 2006.  Under the law, low-income beneficiaries can receive an additional $600 a year to help pay for prescription medicines in 2004 and 2005.

HIPAA UPDATE

In our last HIPAA update on March 12, there was concern expressed in the OMRDD HIPAA Task Force conference call with DOH and Computer Sciences Corp. about the readiness of Paul Graham, a vendor to a number of our member agencies.  Paul Graham stated today that they are getting paid 100% and there is not an issue with Paul Graham’s readiness.

OMRDD TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE – NYS-OPTS

AVAILABLE AT THE CONFERENCE

On Wednesday, April 21, key OMRDD staff will
be available to meet with individual agencies about NYS-OPTS at our conference at the Sagamore Hotel.  Please complete the attached form and return it to Joe Macbeth by fax at 518-449-1509 to reserve an appointment.

A NYSACRA Annual Conference Special Service

Wednesday, April 21st 10:30a.m. - 6:00p.m.

Where: Crown & Dome (Sagamore Hotel)

Key OMRDD
staff will be available to discuss NYS-OPTS and answer your questions o­n:

· The
NYS-OPTS Process

· NYS-OPTS Guiding Principles

· What Outcomes are expected?

· What does a pilot mean?

· Does our agency proposal fit?

· What is the role of families/consumers?

· Provider Contract

· Evaluating Projects and Measuring Satisfaction

· The Budget for a NYS-OPTS proposal

Come to the NYS-OPTS Technical Assistance Institute with your
proposals or concepts, problems or questions to brainstorm with “Key” staff from
OMRDD’s Central office o­ne-on-one.

Appointments are preferred and may last up to 45 minutes. Please
complete the form below and return it by fax to Joe Macbeth at 518-449-1509. This form must be returned by April 7, 2004, and your
appointment will be confirmed prior to the conference.

Name:   _________________________________________ 
Agency:_________________________________________

Date &
Time:  Wednesday, April 21          Preferred Time:__________

Brief
description of your question/topic: