Let me know if you are going to be at the Disability Policy Seminar in Washington D.C.
next week.
Tony
CAPITOL INSIDER
For the week of April 1, 2014
Major Events This Week
Health Care – Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Period Closing Today
March 31st marks the closing of the open enrollment period for private health insurance
provided through the marketplaces. The Department of Health and Human Services
has estimated that over 6 million people have signed up for health insurance coverage.
Some people may qualify for a special extended enrollment period if they have had
problems signing up for insurance coverage before the deadline. If you think you qualify
but haven’t been notified, you can ask for a special enrollment period by calling the
Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 and letting them know your circumstances.
The call center will ask a series of questions to see if you qualify. Make sure you have
evidence that you’ve tried to enroll but were not successful.
Major Events Last Week
Autism- New Data on Autism Prevalence Released by The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
Last week, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new data
showing that the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) continues to rise. The
new rate of 1 in 68 reflects a 30% increase from two years ago when the CDC released
data that 1 in 88 children has autism.
ASDs are a group of developmental disabilities that are often diagnosed in early
childhood and can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges
over a lifetime. The Arc is the largest provider organization for people with autism in
the United States. Chapters of The Arc provide services and supports for people with
autism, their families, and service providers. To read The Arc’s full statement, visit our
blog.
Announcements
Civil Rights – Message from Senator Tom Harkin on The Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) convened a group of disability, civil rights, and veterans
advocates to strategize about a final push for ratification of the Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Efforts are directed toward a vote in July
around the 24th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Senator Harkin has a message for supporters of the treaty and a plea for assistance.
Please go to http://www.harkin.senate.gov/help/crpdstories.cfm to watch Senator
Harkin’s message.
Long Term Services & Supports / Employment – Department of Labor Releases
Guidance on Shared Living Arrangements and the Fair Labor Standards Act
The Department of Labor (DOL) has released Administrator’s Interpretation No. 2014-1 and Fact Sheet #79G: Application of the Fair Labor Standards Act to Shared Living
Programs, including Adult Foster Care and Paid Roommate Situations. These
documents provide additional guidance on how DOL’s Final Rule, Application of the
Fair Labor Standards Act to Domestic Service, might affect certain “shared living”
arrangements. Shared living arrangements are often funded by Medicaid or other
public sources and involve arrangements in which a person receiving supports and
services and a direct care professional providing the supports live together. The new
rule will take effect January 1, 2015.
Capitol Insider Schedule
Capitol Insider will not be sent out on April 7 because The Arc’s staff will be attending
our annual Disability Policy Seminar. Please check the Capitol Insider Blog for policy
updates.
Tony Paulauski Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
815-464-1832 (CELL)
Tony@www.thearcofil.org
