NYSACRA

News & Views: We Did It!! H.R. 5613 Passes the House! (4-24-2008)

Friday, 25 April 2008

· WE DID IT!! H.R. 5613 PASSES THE HOUSE!
· NYS DOH MEDICAID UPDATE - DETAILS ON APG'S & MORE
· NYS OMRDD TASK FORCE ON SPECIAL NEEDS DENTISTRY

In This Issue

Open Your Eyes! Watch it Now!

NYSACRA Calendar

Executive Positions

Action Center

· WE DID IT!! H.R. 5613 PASSES THE HOUSE!
	The Medicaid Reg Moratoria Bill passed under Suspension of the Rules, with a voting margin large enough to override veto. The House voted 349 to 61 (with 24 members not voting) in the affirmative to suspend the rules and passed H.R. 5613 as amended. The 349 vote is a healthy margin over the required two-thirds majority to ensure support in the event of an expected Presidential veto. Thank you to everyone who responded to the NYSACRA Action Alerts. Your letters and phone calls made a difference! Check NYSACRA's website or Click Here for a link to the vote and to see how your U.S. Representative voted. The CMS Rules changes were opposed by the governors of all 50 states, state Medicaid directors and others. Now it's up to the U.S. Senate, and while both of our NY Senators are on S. 2819, it's not clear they can get a veto proof majority vote.

· NYS DOH MEDICAID UPDATE - DETAILS ON APG'S & MORE
	As you know, on April 1, 2008, the NYS Legislature approved the State Fiscal Year 2008-09 Health Budget. A new, six-part Special Edition of the DOH Medicaid Update provides the highlights of that Budget. Many of the provisions are subject to approval by the federal CMS. Additional information about the implementation of these provisions will be included in future issues of the Medicaid Update. It provides some detailed description of the changes to come regarding reductions in hospital inpatient rates and increases in outpatient rates, in keeping with NYS's plan to support quality care in outpatient settings and reduce avoidable hospitalizations. In addition, a new rate-setting methodology known as APGs, or "ambulatory patient groups" will replace the current flat per visit outpatient payment currently used in article 28 clinics; the amount paid will vary depending on intensity of services provided during the visit. See DOH website, http://www.nyhealth.gov or Click Here for a link to the Medicaid Update.

· NYS OMRDD TASK FORCE ON SPECIAL NEEDS DENTISTRY
	OMRDD's Task Force on Special Dentistry is dedicated to improving the equity, effectiveness, and efficiency of dental services for New Yorkers with developmental disabilities. If you missed this session at NYSACRA's Annual Conference, but have an interest in the topic, please contact OMRDD. They have a copy of the PowerPoint presentation used in the session, the Trainer's Manual and Workbook for the curriculum "Overcoming Obstacles to Dental Health," the accompanying CD, and a Caregiver's Guide for Dental Care Everyday. These materials convey the "how-to's" for regular oral hygiene in people with developmental disabilities, taking into account all of the special challenges that can make quality dental care so difficult to achieve. More information is also at http://www.omr.state.ny.us/hp_dentistry_index.jsp.

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