Last
Day of Session!
The budget is going to be debated today. We are analyzing it now and will
have more information once it has passed. The BIMP bill which contains
much of the direction about rates has not been reviewed yet.
Good news – Legislation
Going to the Governor for His Signature
SB1321
-The Medicaid Omnibus bill passed the House earlier today. This bill,
while a compromise, calls for a complete review of the Medicaid redetermination
process within 90 days of the effective date of this act in order to identify
changes allowing for more Illinoisans to be automatically renewed (ex-parte,
Form B redetermination). Within 90 days of the completed review, HFS is to seek
written federal approval of the policy changes, streamlining continuing
eligibility by leveraging eligibility data from other public benefits programs,
like SNAP, and increased stakeholder engagement requirements. We are
hopefully that this bill will make it easier for people with I/DD to gain and
keep Medicaid. It heads to the governor.
HB1438
– the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. It
passed House prior and was amended in the Senate so will go back to the House
on concurrence. Then it will head to the governor.
HB3299
– The sexual health, safety and education bill passed both
chambers and is headed to the Governor. Thanks to all those who called
legislators to get this passed. A huge shout out to Representative Davis
and Senator Harmon for their leadership and support.
HB 2987 – the
Protection of Individuals with Disabilities in the Criminal Justice System Task
Force Act, which creates a task force to look at these issues statewide.
It heads to the Governor for signature. A thanks to Rep Davis for his
commitment to this issue.
HB3483 – PUNS Update and
Transparency Bill, increases communication with people on the PUNs waiting list
and updates language in the statute. Passed both chambers and is headed
to the Governor. A shout out to Rep Gabel and Senator Murphy for their
leadership.
ISC Transition
Transition Advisory Group has been created and will be meeting to advise the
department on improving the transition process. Please remember, you can
still send ideas and experiences thus far to isctransition@illinois.gov.
Services Inc shares information on their website and a letter to people in the
areas they are scheduled to take over. Here is the letter which tries to
provide as much information about their activities and the transition process
as possible at this point in time. See the letter here.
Prairieland has already taken over for CSO/RIM (Community Service Options Rock
Island & Mercer County) as of May 1, 2019.
Following DDSME’s lawsuit against the state regarding the NOFO, where a
settlement has still not been announced, last week Western Illinois Service
Coordination, Central Illinois Service Coordination and DayOne Pact have also
sued the state to gain the areas that they lost during the NOFO. See here for the filing.
This week, Prairieland Services Coordination filled a counter-suit against both
the state and DD Services of Metro East for breach of contract.
DDD Calls for Feedback Plus New DDD Announcements
Please be advised that the DDD has posted a DRAFT Information Bulletin draft
for your review and comment to our website sometime next week. We are
sending this DRAFT Information Bulletin to you for review via email at this
time to allow more time for review and comment due to the delay in being able
to get it posted to our website due to technical difficulties.
Here is the Bulletin on the 38U proposed change and
the 30U proposed change.
These changes have come from the Employment Subcommittee of the Rates Oversight
Committee formed in response to the request by the Ligas judge. If you
have feedback to share and/or concerns, please email me at meg@thearcofil.org.
Changing from 38U to
30U Program/Bill Code
http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=117758
Comments dues July 1, 2019.
Respite Grants among other
grants are out!
Please be advised that the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) has
published a list of all awardees for the FY20 NOFO process to our website at
the following link:
http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=117714