Supporting Minnesotans with MS
Medical Assistance
- Benefit Set— Proposed elimination of occupational, speech and physical therapy along with glasses, dentures, prosthetics and other items cuts to the core of quality of life for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who are in need of Medical Assistance (MA).
- Co-Pay Increases— Increased prescription drug co-pays may not appear to be a large dollar amount, but people on MA are financially strapped to the point that any increase is unaffordable. These changes will require federal approval and won’t result in significant budget savings.
Disability Waiver Rollback
The House, Senate and Administration have all proposed variations of caps or rollbacks on the number of waivers and/or the spending for people on these waivers. Community Alternatives for Disabled Individuals (CADI), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Elderly and other waiversenable people with disabilities to live independently, in the community, at a cost to taxpayers that is far less than if they were placed in a nursing home or long-term care facility.
- The Citizens League estimates long-term care costs at $6,700 per month ($80,000 per year).[1]
- As of 2009, the Minnesota Department of Human Services estimated the cost for the CADI waiver at $2,300 per month.[2]
Transportation Services
- Cuts to the Met Council will have a direct and immediate impact on Metro Mobility, the sole source of transportation for many people with disabilities. It impacts their ability to attend medical appointments, purchase food and medicine and take care of life’s daily activities.
- Non-emergency and ambulance transportation rate cuts will strain an already strained system, which could result in people not being able to access needed medical care.
Provider Rate Cuts
Providers already operate with reimbursements below cost. Cutting reimbursement rates further will damage our health care system and may result in people not receiving adequate care.
Community First Choice Option
We encourage enhancing the self-directed supports option to increase choice and control of people who use long-term care services and believe we should increase the number of people who can use self-directed supports. PCA Program
We support the addition of rehabilitation services under the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program but oppose the proposed 20 percent payment rate cut for services provided by family members. We support ongoing efforts to seek greater efficiencies in the PCA program.
Services & Supports
We support creation of Home and Community Based Attendant Services and Supports for people on waivers.
Global HHS Waiver
Savings generated with a “global” waiver must not come at the expense of providing necessary services to Minnesotans in need. Relying on potential savings from such a waiver as part of the budget solution is precarious because waivers can take six to 18 months for a decision.