Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
BUDGET CUTS AND BILLS AFFECTING CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH SPECIAL
HEALTH CARE NEEDS
June 2010
WHAT CAN WE DO?
OUR MISSION: Secure, quality, affordable health care for all Californians.Statewide health consumer advocacy
coalition.Support advocacy by health consumersPolicy research, analysis & developmentPublic educationMedia advocacyGrassroots & legislative advocacy
Steps Forward: National Health Reform
The national health reform law (PPACA) provides new opportunities for better & more affordable coverage for children and young adults with high health care needs.Young people can stay on their parents coverage up to age 26
(9/23/10).No more denials for pre-existing conditions (children now,
adults in 2014, temp high risk pool for adults ‘til then)Standards for insurance, preventive care must be coveredSubsidies for families under 400% FPL & small bizRate review and regulation Income-based cap on out of pocket expenses, ban on lifetime and
annual limitsNo more rescissions
Steps Forward: National Health Reform – continued
Expand Medi-Cal to non-disabled childless adults up to 133% FPL
Funds Healthy Families through 2015Reduces Medi-Cal paperwork doing away with
SARS for kidsEliminates asset test for Medi-CalRaises the revenues needed to sustain and
expand Medicaid & Healthy FamiliesPrevents states from cutting Medicaid and
Healthy Families eligibility
Steps Backward:State Budget Cuts
HEALTHY FAMILIESRaise monthly premiums from $24 to $42 per child for
families at 200-250% FPL ($36,600-45,800 for a family of 3)
Raise ER co-pays from $15 to $50New hospital co-pay of $100/day with a $200
maximum Eliminate coverage of eyeglasses & other vision care
IHSS$750 million “cost containment” package tba
Steps Backward:State Budget Cuts
MEDI-CAL (Adults Only):New copays for hospital stays ($100/day up to a
maximum of $200), ER visits ($50), doctor visits ($5) and Rx ($5)
Limit doctor & clinic visits to 10/year;Limit Rx to 6/month (except for life-saving drugs);Eliminate OTC coverage;New copays for hospital stays ($100/day up to a
maximum of $200), ER visits ($50), doctor visits ($5) and Rx ($5)
- continued -
Steps Backward:State Budget Cuts - continued
ADULT MEDI-CAL (21+) - continuedAnnual cap on coverage of supplies & equipment
including:hearing aids ($1,510), DME including wheelchairs, ambulation devices,
bathroom equipment, hospital beds and accessories, communication devices, IV equipment, oxygen and respiratory equipment ($1,604)
incontinence supplies ($1,659)Eliminate coverage for legal immigrants who have
resided in the US for less than five years
The Family Recovery Budget: A Better Choice for California
Create jobs, preserve the jobs we have and invest in Californians
Maintain health and other vital services for children, families, seniors and people with disabilities.
Close corporate tax loopholes to protect vital services
Legislators Are RespondingAssembly Jobs Budget (Perez & Blumenfield, 5/25)
No cuts to education or HHSRaises $10b by closing corporate tax breaks, creating an oil
severance tax and securitizing the recycling fund
Senate Revenues proposal (Steinberg & Ducheny, 5/24)Fewer cuts to HHSRaises $4.9b by closing corporate tax breaks and raising taxes
on the middle class Extend the personal income tax “surcharge” & reduced
dependent tax credit Raise VLF to 1.5% Increase alcohol tax
This is crunch timeCA has to pass state legislation to implement
many of the national reforms. CA can go further and create reform that better
reflects the needs and values of California.CA has to pass a balanced state budget by this
summer.CA can balance its budget without destroying
health and other vital programs for kids & families
Your Voices Can Make the Difference!
What You Can Do1. POST your state legislators’ phone numbers on your refrigerator
door: www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html
2. CALL your state legislators at least once a week TELL them what you want & ASK them what they’re going to do
3. JOIN a group meeting with your state legislator in his/her local office: email [email protected] for a schedule of upcoming meetings.
4. COLLECT postcards calling for a Family Recovery Budget from your friends, family, co-workers and other parents, & hand-deliver them to your local legislators. Customizable postcards are at www.hhsnetworkca.org/tools-and-resources.
Connect with your local HHS NetworkBay Area: Thurs 6/3 March for Budget Justice, 11.30am @ Powell BART.
Contact [email protected].
Santa Barbara: Thurs 6/10 Central Coast planning mtg for July action, 3.30pm @ 1030 Southwood Dr, SLO. Contact [email protected].
LA: Tues 6/15 March for Budget Justice, 4:00 p.m. @ 300 S. Spring, St. Contact [email protected].
Redding: Fri 6/18 CA Commission on the Status of Women public hearing, 11am @ Redding Library. See www.women.ca.gov for more info.
Fresno: Contact [email protected] for next mtg.
Bakersfield: Contact [email protected] for next meeting.
San Diego: Contact [email protected] for next meeting.
