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3/10/2010
IL State Budget
The news for developmental disabilities is not good. The Arc of Illinois opposes the budget.
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3/9/2010
Arc Update March 9
I am on my way to the Capitol to learn about the Governor's proposed state budget. Stay tuned for updates the next few days . . .
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3/8/2010
Politics Over Good Public Policy
This week the Governor will release his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2011. This is the beginning of the budget process so we are likely to see many changes, debates and grand old politics before the final state budget is agreed upon. I continue to hear that there is a possibility that a six month budget may approved and legislators will return after the election to consider a tax increase.
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3/5/2010
Arc Candidate Forums - We Need Your Help
We are working with the Life My Way Coalition to organize and host Candidate Forums across Illinois this spring and summer. We also will host two Governor's Forums as well. I am asking you to assist us in this important venture in your local area.
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3/5/2010
FSN Advocacy Training Sessions Being Planned
Another part of our Life My Way Coalition is Advocacy Training provided by the Family Support Network. Please consider hosting one of our Advocacy Training sessions and please share this information with advocates in your area! We are targeting April and May for these sessions.
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3/2/2010
Direct Support Professional Awards
Please support AAIDD's efforts for Direct Support Professional's recognition at their Spring conference and I am hoping as many organizations as possible get the chance to honor their staff.
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3/2/2010
Budget Cuts Being Considered In The Senate
Tomorrow in the Senate Appropriations Committee it is expected that Senator Trotter will role out appropriations bills that cut 10% from human services and other parts of the state budget.
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3/2/2010
Let's Make Our Voices Heard
Governor Quinn last week posted information about the state budget, on a new website. The picture is very grim without any new revenue. The Governor is also taking public comment on the state budget and Mr. Sick & Tired are making their voices heard! We need to have our voices heard! See story below.
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2/25/2010
Arc Update
Tomorrow I'm back in the Capitol again. Advocates will meet with legislative staff to discuss Medicaid reform . . .
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2/25/2010
Bill to Delay Managed Care Pilot Passes Out of Committee
House Bill 5086 passed out of the House Medicaid Reform, Family & Children Committee today! HB 5086, sponsored by Rep Linda Chapa LaVia, would create a broad based task force to assess the readiness of the Managed Care Pilot before this pilot could move forward.
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2/25/2010
CTBA Releases Human Services Special Report
The Center for Tax and Budget Accountability has issued a significant report on "Human Services." The report summarizes the underfunding of the human service safety network and its impact on the state's economy and job loss in human services.
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2/25/2010
Arc Comments on Children's Waiver
The Children's Support Waiver is up for renewal. Can you believe it has been three years? I understand that 200 new children will be added to the support waiver soon! Here are our comments to improve the Children's Support and Residential Waivers.
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2/24/2010
Budget Projections Go Online Today
I guess you could say that the state budget process is starting today. Get ready for a rollercoaster ride this legislative session! Know that our priorities this session are the budget and prompt payments.
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2/24/2010
More on Gov's Budget Website
I am hearing that the Governor is going to post two sets of budget numbers on the website today. One set will be with a 5% personal income tax rate and the other one will be without a tax increase. I am not expecting a lot of budget detail. That should come after the Governor's Budget Address on March 10th but we shall see at noon.
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2/24/2010
Preliminary Budget Includes $2 Billion in Cuts
Here is the information released today by the Governor's office about the preliminary state budget for fiscal year 2011. Please remember these figures are certainly subject to change but these cuts do set the tone for the need for new revenue including a tax increase.
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2/23/2010
Arc Disability Policy Seminar in DC
The Disability Policy Seminar is scheduled for April 12-14, 2010 in Washington D.C. This is one of the best policy seminar's you will ever attend.
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2/22/2010
Arc and DHS Budget Briefing
March 10th at noon, Governor Quinn will make his budget presentation to the General Assembly. The Department of Human Services briefing on the Governor's FY 11 Budget will take place one hour after the Gov finishes his budget address. It will take place in the auditorium of the State Museum.
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2/18/2010
Managed Care Update
It was standing room only at the Managed Care Pilot Bidders Conference in Springfield today. In my opinion, there was little new information regarding the request for proposals and services.
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2/16/2010
Advocates Oppose Medicaid HMO Plan
Heading to Chicago today for meetings with advocates, Thursday, I'm off to the Capitol for the meeting on the Managed Care pilot and Friday, it's Rock Island for strategic planning.
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2/11/2010
Illinois Announces Medicaid Managed Care Pilot
I have been talking to a lot of reporters this week about Managed Care and individuals with developmental disabilities. Here is a story from Associated Press that has been picked up by newspapers throughout the state.
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2/11/2010
State Reaches Out to Private Health Plans for Managed Care
This morning I got a call from one of our members. She had a conversation with a friend of hers who is a state employee. It turns out that her health care plan is part of the state's Managed Care HMO. The state employee needs surgery and the physician will not perform the surgery because of the state inability to pay their bills!
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2/10/2010
Secretary's Comments at Leadership Conference
It was our pleasure to have Secretary Michelle Saddler address the attendees of our annual Leadership Conference. I asked the Secretary to give us some insight to what drives her work ethic and how we can work together in these trying times. The Secretary ended up spending the entire day with us, along with Director Romano and Director Teninty.
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2/8/2010
Managed Care RFP Now Available
Here is the Request for Proposal, RFP, for the Managed Care of health and direct care services we have been discussing since just before the holidays.
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2/8/2010
Manged Care RFP in Word
Attached is a Word Document for the Request for Proposal, RFP, for the Managed Care of health and direct care services for adults with developmental disabilities.
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