DSP WAGES.
Last Thursday, our coalition addressing the crisis in retaining and recruiting direct care professionals met to discuss next steps. We will reintroduce legislation to increase the starting wage to $15.00 per hour. We will continue to have within the bill language that is very comprehensive defining who is covered in the bill. We have added clarifying language to make it certain that this bill includes Individual Service Coordination services as originally intended. We will also recommend another series of regional meeting advocating for passage of the DSP legislation.
MEDICAID BLOCK GRANTS.
Stephanie Altman, Director of Healthcare Justice, the Shriver Center explained the suspected dangers of Medicaid block grants to the states. President Trump and the leaders of both the House and the Senate in Washington D.C. are supporting Medicaid block grants! This year in Illinois alone we receive $17 billion in Medicaid to support children & adults with disabilities, seniors and the poor. It is projected that Illinois could lose $37 billion in Medicaid funding if Medicaid is block granted over a ten year period! Medicaid is the lifeline for people with disabilities and should not be blocked granted.
Here is a link to Stephanie’s PowerPoint: Medicaid Block Grant and Per Capita Cap Proposals and Impact on Illinois
Here is a link to Stephanie’s presentation which was recorded.
Stephanie Altman contact information:
Stephaniealtman@povertylaw.org
312-263-3830 Ext. 279
It is time that you joined the Disability Advocacy Network to combat block granting of Medicaid and other dangers to people with disabilities that are being proposed.
NEW ADDITIONS.
I am delighted to introduce you to two new additions to The Arc Team! Lee Ann McQuen is our new Office Manager and Rhonda Dobbs works in the Family Support Network. Welcome to The Arc!
Tony Paulauski
Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
708-828-0188 (CELL)
Tony@thearcofil.org