january 20, 2015. dean gates, chair ric nelson terese kashi banarsi lal rep. charisse millett ...
TRANSCRIPT
Legislative Committee Report
January 20, 2015
Dean Gates, Chair Ric Nelson Terese Kashi Banarsi Lal Rep. Charisse Millett Art Delaune Heidi Haas Christine King
Karli Lopez Alex Gimarc Stephanie George Steve Lesko Anthony Cravalho
Staff Patrick Reinhart Johanna Richter
Members
Reviewed priorities voted on in May - information
updated
Presentation regarding Denali Deaf Center capital
project
Presentation on Disability ID and Training bill concept
Staff attended Trust Joint Advocacy meetings
Met with Rep. Millett and her staff, Grace Abbott, about
our priorities and got her feedback
Developed position papers two weeks prior to council
meeting
Important Activities Since October
1. HB ___: Disability Training & Identification Bill
2. Changes to Medicaid and Home and Community
Based Services (HCBS) Waivers To Save the State
Money
3. Capital project support - Denali Deaf Center
($995,000)
2015 Known Legislative Priorities
Operating Budget Deliberations
Especially around all things Medicaid related (i.e.
expansion, reform ideas, waivers & general fund supports
like DD grants)
Autism Task Force Recommendations
HB 27&28/SB ? - PCA services
Relating to persons in adult foster care
Issues To Follow
Follow legislation and state budget deliberations closely
Key Campaign planning and participation (Feb. 19 & 20)
Collaborate with Alaska Mobility Coalition
Collaborate with Trust
Attend/report at weekly legislative session check-ins
Keep council/citizens/legislators informed and engaged on
our issues
Next Steps
A “waiver” allows the state to offer Home and
Community-Based Services (HCBS) to people who are eligible for Medicaid
It is called the 1915(c ) waiver because it is described in section 1915 of the Medicaid Act
Our current 1915(c ) waiver covers Alaskans with developmental and physical disabilities who need nursing home levels of care (we have several waivers)
The state also covers most PCA services in the state plan
Medicaid 101
Federal government reimburses Alaska’s
1915(c ) waiver services at 50% So for every $10 the state spends, the feds give
us $5
If Alaska switches from the 1915(c ) waiver to the 1915(k) plan, the federal reimbursement increases by 6% For every $10 the state spends, feds would give
us $5.60
Medicaid 101
BUT….
1915(k) plan is only for people who meet institutional levels of care (LOC)
To cover additional Alaskans who do not yet meet LOC, we would also need to add the 1915(i) plan
1915(i) allows states to determine who is eligible Mental illness, Alzheimer’s, TBIs, etc
Medicaid 101
Conclusion Alaska currently has a 1915(c ) waiver for
HCBS If we switch to 1915(k) plan, we get more
money If we add 1915(i) plan, we can also cover more
people who need services
Remember: 1915(k) and 1915(i) are not “waivers!”
Medicaid 101