[Nfbmo] Fw: [Missouri-l] Medicaid

[Gene Coulter]

This is of concern for many people because  those on Blind Pension would 
loose their drug coverage and need to enroll in Medicare Part D which anyone 
can tell you is not as good of coverage as Medicaid.  Also loosing medicaid 
if you are not on Medicare or a private plan would be devastating.
I understand how the politicians can rationalize taking away Medicaid from 
Blind Pension recipients, don’t agree with it but understand it, as Medicaid 
is entirely state funded for BP.
However the Medicaid for Supplemental Aid to the Blind is largely paid for 
by  a Federal match  so it doesn’t make sense to elimnate  it for these 
folks who are already told they must enroll in Medicare Part D for drug 
coverage. Contrary to the article S.A.B. has a income limit where B.P. does 
not.
Gene
From: Nancy Lynn
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2012 7:49 AM
To: nfbmo list
Subject: [Nfbmo] Fw: [Missouri-l] Medicaid

This issue is important for all of us.

From: Denny Huff
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2012 7:34 AM
To: ew at moblind.org
Cc: Missouri-L
Subject: [Missouri-l] Medicaid

JEFFERSON CITY  • A $28 million Medicaid program for the blind would be 
eliminated and the money shifted to higher education under a recommendation 
made

by a Missouri House appropriations committee today.



The proposal, which now goes to the House Budget Committee, is apt to cause 
a political stir. Even former Gov. Matt Blunt's 2005 Medicaid cuts didn't 
touch

aid for the blind, who have been covered under a special part of Missouri's 
Medicaid program since at least 1967.



The amendment was offered by Rep. Tom Flanigan, R-Carthage and chairman of 
the House Health, Mental Health and Social Services Appropriations 
Committee.





No mention was made at the meeting that the special health care program for 
the blind would end. The amendment was worded in a technical fashion, citing

dollars and page numbers. When asked by Rep. Jeanne Kirkton, D-Webster 
Groves, to explain the impact, Flanigan declined.



"It was like a kangaroo court," Kirkton said later.



The Post-Dispatch could not reach Flanigan for comment. He told the Columbia 
Daily Tribune that his goal was to shift about $65 million from the social

services budget to higher education.



In addition to cutting the program for the blind, Flanigan's amendment cut 
about $12 million from subsidized child care and lesser amounts from other 
social

programs.



Combined with $40 million from a national mortgage settlement that Gov. Jay 
Nixon wants to use on higher education, the savings from social services 
would

allow the Legislature to reinstate this year's level of funding for the 
state's public colleges and universities.



Because the blind aren't held to income standards, the state can't draw 
federal matching funds for their care. The state picks up the entire health 
care

tab for about 2,858 people on the Blind Pension Fund and Supplemental Aid to 
the Blind.



Deborah Greider, a St. Louis attorney who represents the Missouri Council of 
the Blind, said the proposed budget cut "would be a terrible dilemma for 
these

vulnerable people, to be left with no ready access to medical care."



The budget amendment does not change the monthly cash benefits - called 
pensions -- distributed to people who are at least 18 years old and are 
totally

blind. That money comes from a small statewide property tax.



Virginia Young

is the Post-Dispatch Jefferson City bureau chief. For updates on Missouri 
politics and the legislative session, follow her on Twitter

@VirginiaYoung.







_____________________________________________________________________________

Denny Huff- President

Missouri Council of the Blind

P: (636) 262-1383

TF: (888) 362-1383

F: (314) 558-0298

Phone Cast: (816) 298-8969



DHuff at MoBlind.Org

www.moblind.org

The purpose of Missouri Council of the Blind shall be to promote the general 
well-being of our members and legally blind people in Missouri, and to 
support

or participate in other programs promoting the best interests of legally 
blind people everywhere.





ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE JOURNEY

Your host: Denny Huff

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