[Nfbmo] MO Health Care for Blind

Shelia Wright sbwright95 at att.net
Thu May 10 22:53:14 UTC 2012


It will be interesting to see how it plays out. I think it's a good thing
that the Governor has been a strong supporter in this case. He may wait a
few days to deal his hand. Like after the session is over as time is on his
side.

I'd like to see the roll call vote for both chambers. 
Shelia

P.S. Dan, Its good to see you back on the list.

----Original Message-----
From: nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of DanFlasar at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2012 5:44 PM
To: nfbmo at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Nfbmo] MO Health Care for Blind

Rep. JimLempke of St. Louis County claimed on NPR's local St. Louis  
affiliate that the actions of the conference committee were
unconstitutional.  
I'll try to find a feed to forward.  I'm  really not sure why the Repulicans

have made this such a priority this year  but it looks like it may backfire 
on them.  
   BTW, I claim this to be a nonpartisan post - it is true that  that the 
Democratic Party in Missouri is almost universal in it's opposition to  the 
Blind Pension Medicaid defunding.
 
 
Dan
 
 
In a message dated 5/10/2012 4:57:00 P.M. Central Daylight Time,  
sbwright95 at att.net writes:

I'm just  reporting what I hear. I'll leave the evaluation to those who
believe they  know. I make no claims or predictions.
Shelia


-----Original  Message-----
From: nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org  [mailto:nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Gene Coulter
Sent:  Thursday, May 10, 2012 2:15 PM
To: NFB of Missouri Mailing List
Subject:  Re: [Nfbmo] MO Health Care for Blind

I spoke with Representitive Chris  Kelly at length this morning and he is 
convinced that the premiums will  not happen as "you can't legislate 
through 
appropriation" in other  this  would be creating a new program  and new 
eligibility  requirements and a seperate bill would be required to do that. 
It doesn't  matter that they stole the language from CHIPS Family health  
Care

program as blind persons are not a part of that program. While I  can't say 
for sure he is right he is  by far one of the most  experienced members of 
the state legislature  having served over 20  years in  stints  in both 
chambers so I would think he knows of  what he speaks although he could be 
proven wrong. He said the important  thing is that the money is there. He 
really does not believe the premiums  will go into effect. Also, on our 
side 
is the Governor who agrees with  Rep. Kelly and he is in charge of the 
Department of Social Services. If  they took this stuff directly from CHIP 
the premiums for a 1-2 person  household would range from $17.00 to $142.00.
We need to keep our ear to  the ground in case  regulations do come out to 
enforce the income  limits and premiums  but at least the most financially 
strapped  persons will continue to be covered in either case.
Gene

From:  Shelia Wright
Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2012 1:54 PM
To: nfbmo at nfbnet.org  ; Bethany Bennington ; Chris Tisdal ; Cory McMahon ; 
danflasar at aol.com ;  Eugene Coulter ; Grace Haner ; Juliet Salih ; 
ralynch1950 at embarqmail.com ;  Robert Williams ; Ruby Polk
Subject: [Nfbmo] MO Health Care for  Blind

The Conference Committee Report and Bills were on the House Floor  today. 
The
conference committee substitute bill presented passed in the  House on a 
vote
of 112 to 38(?). The message forwarded by Cory, details the  compromise.

On the floor today, the "attempt to legislate" and whether  the committee 
has
this power was mentioned. However the response was that  the exact language
was taken from the CHIPS budget item (which is the most  generous health 
care
program). No further discussion on this thread  followed. It was reported
that no individual on CHIPS has ever had to pay  more than $300 in a single
month.

So it is on to the next step. One  thing I did not quite understand was that
the bill gives the authority for  the full $28 Mil but is for $25 Mil. Maybe
someone else understands this  better than me.

Shelia


-----Original Message-----
From:  nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of  Cory McMahon
Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2012 8:35 AM
Subject: [Nfbmo] Fw:  [Modisabilaw] Budget Negotiators Reach Agreement




From:  Marty Exline
Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2012 8:24 AM
To: MO Disability  Policy/Law Listserv
Subject: [Modisabilaw] Budget Negotiators Reach  Agreement


Missouri legislators appear to have reached agreement on  the final FY2013
budget which will begin July 1st.  The final budget  must be passed by the
end of the day tomorrow, May 11th.



The  budget conference committee reached what some are viewing as a
compromise  on the appropriation for healthcare coverage for persons
receiving Blind  Pension.  Rather than restoring the program to its  
original
eligibility requirements, the agreement sets requirements similar  to the MO
HealthNet for Kids program.  Under the program, persons with  income up to
300% of the federal poverty level (FPL) would be eligible to  receive
healthcare services, and those with income over 150% FPL would pay  a
premium, with premium amounts increasing at incomes at 185% and 225%  FPL.



One hitch with the agreement is the question of whether  the change can
actually be implemented through the budget process or  whether additional
legislation would also be needed.  The Governor's  office is saying that the
measure does not change existing law for the  program, so there will be more
to the story - stay  tuned.



The final $24 million budget should be passed by the  House and the Senate
today and sent to the  Governor.



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