Never Give Up!

Last night the House rejected yet another tax proposal, which gives us valuable time to continue our efforts. We most not give in, we must persevere. Contact your state Representatives again (yes again!) and encourage them to persevere too!

Ask them to support Rep. Rubin's proviso.
Ask them to support carve out/delay of long-term DD services in KanCare.
Ask them to trust the strong views of citizens like you!
Ask them to reject plans that place management of non-medical care into the hands of insurance companies.

And remind them that the budget proposal, as it is currently constructed, is bad for Kansans with I/DD and bad for the State!

What's the status on the Siegfreid Proviso & House Budget Recommendation?

Earlier this week...

You'll recall from earlier posts that we've requested your help in urging House members to oppose the current House budget report (coming from a joint budget conference committee) that contains a KanCare/DD proviso submitted by Rep. Siegfreid - a proviso which does NOT carve out of long-term DD services from KanCare.

Our position on this remains firm, and we urge you to stay in touch with your local Representatives requesting them to vote NO.  We also encourage you to request that your Representatives prompt their leadership for a vote specific to carve out.

So what's the status now?

Currently, House leadership has decided to wait to vote on the budget until a tax agreement is made.  However, if you've been following the news, coming to an agreement on tax issues has become a long, drawn-out battle contributing to an extended legislative session.

UPDATE: The House just adjourned at around 9:40am and will return on Tuesday.

How can I stay tuned in?

We will absolutely put out the word when we hear activity is going to take place related to budget activity and any activity related to KanCare & DD.  Meanwhile, if you want to keep an eye on the tax debate you might want to jump on Twitter and follow these guys/gals/organizations (warning: following these Tweets can get a little addictive!)

@KSlegBot (Statehouse updates on chamber schedules)

@BrentWistrom (Statehouse Reporter, Wichita Eagle)

@ljwrothschild (Statehouse Reporter, Lawrence Journal World)

@bradc25 (Statehouse Reporter, KC Star)

@andymarso (Statehouse Reporter, Topeka Capital-Journal)

@WE_Tweet (Wichita Eagle Blog)

@APjdhanna (Statehouse Reporter, Associated Press)

@KHIorg (Kansas Health Institute)

Be sure to follow your local legislators too!

Oh - and you can always listen to live House and Senate proceedings at www.kslegislature.org

Contact House Members ASAP!

Rep. Arlen Siegfreid (Johnson County)  has succeeded in getting the House conference committee members to use his Administration-blessed proviso instead of a long-term DD care carve out proviso in the conference committee report for the budget.

As a result, rather than giving the House a chance to vote to carve-out IDD from KanCare, the proviso merely echoes language from the MCO contracts already negotiated with the State. The assurances in the proviso do NOT include carve-out, and therefore the Siegfried proviso should not be supported!

So here's what we need advocates to do:

1. Ask your representative to vote NO on the budget conference committee report that contains the Siegfreid proviso. 
2. Urge them to tell their leaders to let our carve out proviso come to the floor. 

Families, persons served and advocates have worked hard and have earned a vote on this issue. No one has a right to surrender our issue without talking to us first. The proviso that has been adopted is just that, a white flag of surrender.

As early as tomorrow afternoon, the conference committee’s budget agreement will be debated in the House. If it passes in the House, it will go to the Senate, and from there, if successful, to the Governor and the deal will be done. The time is now.

Why urge a NO vote on the budget deal?

1. This budget deal doesn't call for the carve-out of IDD services. 
2. This budget deal still includes the Crum proviso which says there will no IDD waiting list funds, as long as you are carved out.

TAKE ACTION NOW!

Call your representative(s).  Urge them to VOTE NO on the budget conference committee report.  

• Don’t know your representative’s phone number? Find it here: http://kslegislature.org/li/b2013_14/chamber/house/roster/

Send an email to your representative urging a NO VOTE on the budget conference committee report.      

• Don’t know your representative’s email address?  Find it here:  http://kslegislature.org/li/b2013_14/chamber/house/roster/ 

• Don’t know who your representative is?  Find out here: 
• http://www.openkansas.org/

Notify all advocates and stakeholders in your community to contact their representatives as well.

Do not delay!

InterHab Push Day

Thanks to all you amazing advocates who came out to create the largest and best "Push Day" yet!

Don't be bullied for speaking out!

The House Appropriations Committee, on a motion by Representative Dave Crum of Augusta, inserted a proviso into the House's budget bill that would take away any new waiting list dollars for Kansans with developmental disabilities if I/DD long-term care services were 'carved out' of KanCare.

This action is naked in its attempt to intimidate and bully the tens of thousands of Kansans who have urged their legislators to exclude these vital long-term care services from KanCare. It is also cruel punishment for hundreds of Kansans with developmental disabilities who have been forced to wait for years on waiting lists.

Don't be bullied! Let your legislators know that you still oppose inclusion of I/DD long-term care services within KanCare, and that you also oppose the attempt by a small number of legislators to punish hundreds of Kansans with I/DD who have waited for help.

Send a message to your legislators today!

www.invisiblekansans.org


Want to learn more?  Check out the articles below:
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2013/may/09/republicans-push-through-proposal-blocking-desires/

http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/Kan-House-panel-approves-gov-s-services-plan-4502435.php

http://www.kansascity.com/2013/05/09/4228029/lawmakers-kancare-for-developmentally.html

http://www.kansas.com/2013/05/09/2796711/kansas-house-panel-ties-additional.html#emlnl=Morning_Headlines_Newsletter

Eagle Editorial Supports Carve Out!