[Nfbmt] A ridiculous Question

Tue Jan 7 04:26:53 UTC 2014

Yes. I can't recall if the Montana Medicaid for workers with
disabilities was passed by the legislature in 2009 or 2011.

The benefits counselors (or whatever they are called) have been around
about 3 years or so.  VR used ARRA or stimulus funds to identify and
train these folks around the state.

On 1/6/14, sheila <sleigland at bresnan.net> wrote:
> hmmm dan I didn't know that there was a way for disabled workers to keep
> ssi or medicaid. I also didn't know that the state has some one to work
> with people on this.
> On 1/6/2014 8:44 PM, Dan Burke wrote:
>> Joy,
>>
>> The points you raise are the very arguments that workshops make to
>> suggest that they are doing disabled workers a favor by paying them
>> less than the minimum wage.  It is custodialism based in their own
>> self-interests.  They get state money - taxpayers money - to pay their
>> workers less than the minimum and, since they get the labor for less
>> than the market value of minimum wages, they are in effect
>> double-dipping.  They are arguing, in effect, that they are doing us a
>> favor by standing on our throats.
>>
>>
>> The answers to this argument are important to know, as you ask.
>> First, there are folks in Montana, for example, whose job it is to
>> work with disabled workers to manage any impact that wages might have
>> on other benefits, such as SSI or Medicaid.  VR has paid for these
>> folks to get this training, and VR counselors can purchase their
>> services on behalf of their clients.  Second, Montana has a special
>> Medicaid category for workers with disabilities who are in fact
>> working.  So many folks really can't afford to lose that medical
>> coverage because of significant medical necessities.  This category
>> allows those folks to go to work and not risk loss of Medicaid which,
>> for some, would be devasting and otherwise would constitute a barrier
>> to considering going to work and getting off of other benefits.
>>
>> The big picture answer is, of course, that if people earn enough - the
>> Montana minimum wage and 30 to 40 hours per week - they will be making
>> as much or more as with benefits.
>>
>> Good discussion.
>>
>> Dan
>>
>> On 1/6/14, Rebecca Stewart <becca33 at bresnan.net> wrote:
>>> That's an awesome point, Sheila.  I like the way you're thinking outside
>>> the
>>> box:)
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Nfbmt [mailto:nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of sheila
>>> Sent: Monday, January 6, 2014 7:40 AM
>>> To: NFB of Montana Discussion List
>>> Subject: Re: [Nfbmt] A ridiculous Question
>>>
>>> hi also, if disabled people were paid properly, there could be less
>>> dependence on programswhich could save a lot of money.
>>> On 1/5/2014 8:04 PM, Rebecca Stewart wrote:
>>>> Hi Dar.  You are right, things are tough everywhere but if our
>>>> government people who spend our tax dollars would use them more
>>>> wisely, I think things could get better and we shouldn't decide that
>>>> because someone has to take the loss of subminimum wages that it
>>>> should be disabled people.  In my mind, if disabled people were paid
>>>> the same minimum wage as everyone else, it would only help our overall
>>>> situation because it would help our economy.  We would have extra
>>>> money to spend on buying just like everyone else and this would only
>>>> help the economy.  We also need to think of what happens beyond
>>>> minimum wage also.  Once a person starts a job at minimum wage, he/
>>>> she usually has the opportunity to advance his/ her salary several
>>>> times during their employment so ultimately he/ she would be making
>>>> beyond minimum, closer to a very comfortable wage depending on how
>>>> hard a person wants to work and how long he/ she stays with a given
>>>> company.  The additional wages and benefits that most Americans are
>>> enjoying should not be denied disabled workers, not in America.
>>>> Becca
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Nfbmt [mailto:nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dmgina
>>>> Sent: Sunday, January 5, 2014 12:47 PM
>>>> To: NFB of Montana Discussion List
>>>> Subject: Re: [Nfbmt] A ridiculous Question
>>>>
>>>> Wow what did you have for breakfast to come up with such thoughts
>>>> smile!
>>>> As it was shared on the news, Montana doesn't have the money to keep
>>>> up with the raises states are doing. They are doing well to keep jobs.
>>>> I do know to keep our mall open they need to come down in price for
>>>> renting a space.
>>>> No wonder we shop on line.
>>>> This is happening al over, not just the disabled, or the blind.
>>>> It is good to get out there and take a stand.
>>>> We are proud to remind others we too need a raise in the working force.
>>>> Don't know if I came close to your question, just my thoughts.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Dar
>>>> Every saint has a past,
>>>> Every sinner has a future
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> On Jan 5, 2014, at 10:54 AM, "Rik James" <montanarikster at gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>>> I am appreciating what the NFB legislative team is doing. I am
>>>>> looking
>>>> forward to our trip to Washington, to be part of a collective voice to
>>>> express our dismay and disgust at what is, and has been going on for
>>>> much too long for our fellow blind persons.
>>>>> What we will ask them, the Congressional representatives to do is
>>>> important. For us, together and for each of individually, I guess I
>>>> feel like I need to get my head together and be informed.
>>>>> And to be able to boil it down into a few concise and understandable
>>>>> sound
>>>> bytes. Because that is what we will have in the way of time.
>>>>> Go around the room, if you please, now, fellow Fedearationists.
>>>>>
>>>>> Speak your mind now amongst ourselves.
>>>>>
>>>>> Sing the Dress Rehearsal Rag.
>>>>> (Oops, sorry! I drifted in to my music world for a moment, with that
>>>> Leonard Cohen song title.)
>>>>> What do you each know about the history of the minimum wage in
>>>>> America?
>>>>> In the general sense, I think this is valuable to understand.
>>>>>
>>>>> What are the big bullet points of that history, that have led us to
>>>>> right
>>>> now in time?
>>>>> History. All around us. Surrounding us.
>>>>> And the role we play, today, in that history.
>>>>> The future and the present. Unraveling all of it.
>>>>> That is what occupies part of my mind, as I try and see about what I
>>>>> would
>>>> like to be a part of in Washington at the end of this month.
>>>>> I wish I felt more optimistic. I have been following our Congress
>>>>> with
>>>> horror and dismay in the years since last I went on this advocacy
>>>> pilgrimage.
>>>>> And so it makes me rather a grim conversationalist, when sitting
>>>>> around
>>>> talking. Because I worry that we are all of us, sighted, blind and
>>>> whatever in a very rough patch for democratic principles, and anyone
>>>> without a huge money sack of lobby professionals, controlling the pie
>>> slicing in America.
>>>>> But I let that rest. Are you glad?
>>>>>
>>>>> But here is the next little thing I have to say. That beyond those
>>>>> few
>>>> moments with a congressmen or one of their staff, there will be time
>>>> with one another, us in the National Federation of the Blind, from
>>>> Montana, and other state affiliate members around the nation, once
>>>> again. Anything is possible. Especially when we remain as we are, and
>>>> continue to evolve and to work together.
>>>>> And that is also precious. Don't you think?
>>>>>
>>>>> I just am hoping now that by that time the weather will cooperate
>>>>> with us,
>>>> too. For our travel needs. It will be what it will be. But I wish for
>>>> it to be smooth sailing, smooth flying, and a waltz on concrete that
>>>> is not so dreadfully slippery as it is here today in my home town.
>>>>> Peace Love Joy.
>>>>> And man the barricades. We will not go back.
>>>>> As Doctor Jernigan and others have chanted lo these decades now for
>>>>> our
>>>> rights for equality and justice, and a fair shake at everything anyone
>>>> with complete normal eyesight has.
>>>>> Rik
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> .
>>>>>
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>>>>>
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-- 
Dan Burke
My Cell:  406.546.8546
Twitter:  @DallDonal