NYSACRA

CONGRESS INTRODUCES MEDICAID RELIEF ACT

Separate bills introduced by the US Senate and House strive to provide an immediate but temporary increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP), which is the federal government’s share of Medicaid.  Senate Bill 138, introduced by Senator Clinton and others, would provide $10 Billion through a 2.45% increase for the second half of 2003 and all of fiscal year 2004.  It provides an additional $10 Billion increase in the Title XX Social Services Block Grant program which states use to provide services and resources to people with disabilities, the elderly and children.   H.R. 816, introduced by Rep. Peter King among others, provides a 2% Medicaid increase and an additional 2.5% for high unemployment states.  This is similar to the bill passed last year by the Senate, but which failed to pass in the House.  Please contact your Congressional Representatives and request that they support these bills.

YOU ARE INVITED TO A RECEPTION
HONORING AL KAPLAN

As we noted last month, Al Kaplan has moved to the Division of Budget as the Deputy Director.  In his new role Al is not o­nly in charge of the OMRDD budget but all of the health, human services and educations budgets.  OMRDD will hold a dinner reception in his honor o­n Tuesday, March 11, 2003 at the Wolferts Roost Country Club in Albany.  All NYSACRA Members are invited to attend.  If you’d like to participate in honoring Al for his service to our community, please RSVP by tomorrow, and send a $32.00 check payable to John Gagnon, OMRDD/Revenue Support, 44 Holland Avenue, Albany, NY 12229, 518-402-4343.  Call for directions.  We hope to see you there.

HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT TO INCLUDE
VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES IN NY

The State formed a task force to guide how New York State will adhere to a federal voting reform law.  The federal legislation requires the task force to include the "stakeholders" in states' election processes, yet the group lacks substantial disability representation.  Under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), states are directed to ensure that voters with disabilities have access to poll sites and voting machines, some first-time voters will be required to show identification and, eventually, that states be prepared to spend federal funds o­n new voting machines.  At its meeting Wednesday, the task force said it would try to pull together a report within the next two months o­n complying with the federal law and begin a 30-day public comment period.  It must submit its plan for approval to the U.S. Justice Department and, by the end of September 2003, to a federal panel for a final approval.  NYSACRA will follow the task force actions closely and keep you up to date.