Chairman Baucus, what’s on your political palate?
Posted on May 13, 2009
By Chris Hilderbrant, Director of Advocacy
For three hours Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus led discussions on how to reform health care and how to pay for that reform. Single-payer health insurance advocates stood and walked out in silent protest. Others shouted to interrupt the opening remarks of Chairman Baucus (some later re-entered the room in different clothes!). Chairman Baucus pleaded with the remaining audience members to allow the hearing on healthcare reform to proceed. He indicated that he’d meet with people personally rather than have further interruptions of the hearing. As an ADAPT members with a certain prowess for interrupting bureaucratic proceedings, I had been considering a one person protest for the Community Choice Act… but, now I’ll be contacting his office to set up the meeting he promised me. Read more
Filed Under ADAPT, Advocacy, Attitudes, CDR Programs, Chris Hilderbrant, Independent Living, Institutions and Institutionalization | 3 Comments
Illinois Pro-Institution Bias Moves to the White House
Posted on May 8, 2009
By Diane Coleman, Assistant Director of Advocacy
I’m no Pollyanna. I was with ADAPT in Denver in July, 1990, when activists from all over the country who succeeded in getting lifts-on-buses decided to turn our attention to establishing the civil right to freedom from nursing homes and institutions. Nineteen years later, we have made gains but still have a long way to go. Experience has made me a realist and I have my share of cynicism and doubt when policy makers give lip service to our goals.
Nevertheless, throughout the long political campaigns of the last two years, I have hoped for “change we can believe in.” Even before that, I was hopeful when Obama met with disability advocates in Chicago during his Senate campaign. He appeared to see us as a constituency. Later, Obama’s co-sponsorship of the Community Choice Act encouraged me and many others even more. Read more
Filed Under Advocacy, Americans with Disabilities Act, Attitudes, CDR Programs, Community-based services, Consumer Directed Personal Assistance, Diane Coleman, Home Care, Independence, Independent Living, Institutions and Institutionalization, Medicaid | 4 Comments
¡No es solamente Competencia Cultural, Es la Ley!
Posted on May 8, 2009
Por Terrie Lincoln
Ayer asistí a una reunión ofrecida por el Departamento de Servicios Sociales del Condado de Monroe en lo que será un elemento obligatorio para el programa de Asistencia Personal Dirigida Por El Consumidor en el Condado de Monroe.
Este nuevo sistema es obligatorio para ayudar a reducir el fraude de Medicaid y aumentar la seguridad de los consumidores. Los asistentes tendrán que utilizar este sistema de reconocimiento de voz al comenzar un turno y al finalizar el turno.
En la reunión de ayer la audiencia hizo una pregunta respecto a este sistema nuevo como también se estará ofreciendo en español para nuestros asistentes de habla hispana. El representante del Departamento de Servicios Sociales del Condado de Monroe, declaró, “Bueno, pues creo que tendrán que aprender hablar Inglés, pero ¡Ya!” Read more
Filed Under Advocacy, Attitudes, CDR Programs, Community-based services, Computers, Consumer Directed Personal Assistance, Employment, Home Care, Independence, Medicaid, Medicaid Fraud, Terrie Lincoln | Leave a Comment
Thoughts on CDPAS Voice Recognition
Posted on May 7, 2009
By Roger Strickland, Director of Information Technology
Monroe County is mandating that CDPAS services must use a new voice recognition phone system to clock in on a shift and clock out. They also will do random spot checks to see if a clocked in attendant is still at the consumer’s home. I see many problems with this secretly developed system that they are now quickly trying to jam down our consumer’s throats.
They said that they were developing this system for “consumer safety”. If their main concern is consumer safety, why didn’t the business card say “Consumer Protective Specialist” instead of “Medical Antifraud Specialist”? This is not a quality of care program. The County is selectively targeting the disability community and CDPAS services in particular. Don’t try to slip us a three dollar bill. This initiative isn’t for all home care services. It is just focused on the service managed by people with disabilities. Discrimination is discrimination no matter how big your smokescreen. Read more
Filed Under Advocacy, Attendant Services, Attitudes, CDR Programs, Community-based services, Computers, Consumer Directed Personal Assistance, Deaf Community, Home Care, Independence, Independent Living, Medicaid, Medicaid Fraud, Roger Strickland, Technology | 13 Comments
It’s Not Just About Cultural Competence, It’s the Law!
Posted on May 6, 2009
By Terrie Lincoln, Systems Advocate
Yesterday I attended a meeting held by Monroe County DSS on what will be a mandatory component of Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Programs in Monroe County.
This new mandatory system is supposed to help cut down Medicaid fraud and increase consumer safety. Attendants will now have to use this Voice Recognition system to clock in and clock out.
At yesterday’s meeting a question was asked from the audience about this new system also being in Spanish for our Spanish speaking attendants. The representative from Monroe County DSS stated, “Well, I guess they are just going to have to learn English now!” Read more