Behavior Frontiers and its founder, Helen Mader, M.A., BCBA, believe that it is important to be actively engaged in public policy, which shapes the future of applied behavior analysis (ABA) services for individuals with autism and other special needs. It is critical that we are involved in the process of creating a sustainable and practical way for families to continue to have access to high-quality ABA services for their children with developmental disabilities. Behavior Frontiers is involved with tracking, providing feedback on, and advocating for or against legislation that may affect our ability to provide high-quality ABA services to our clients. Please see a list of current issues, as well as potential ways for you to take action!

S. 1028 RAISE  Family Act - December 20, 2017
The Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage (RAISE) Family Act is going to the House of Representatives for a vote. This bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide support and assistance to the 40 million caregivers in the United States. Additionally, this bill proposes to form an advisory board, bringing individuals from a variety of backgrounds to determine the appropriate and necessary steps to provide caregivers the support that they need.

Tax Reform
Congress passed the Tax Cut and Jobs Act -- the GOP’s tax bill -- this week. The tax reform bill will heavily impact health services for individuals and repeals the individual mandate, a key component of the Affordable Care Act requiring most individuals either to have health insurance coverage or pay a fine. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill will leave 13 million individuals uninsured and it will cut $25 billion from Medicare. In addition to the cut, the bill will also limit benefits to those who are insured, making it more difficult for individuals to access the care that they need.

CALIFORNIA ISSUES
AB 1074 (Maienschein): The bill makes updates to the Health and Safety code language that was initiated by SB 946, the Autism Insurance Mandate. It removes the requirement for paraprofessional and professional staff to be employed by a provider and it clarifies their qualifications. Furthermore, it clarifies the middle-tier supervisor job duties and removes the requirement for middle-tier supervisors to be “vendored” by the regional centers.

Behavior Frontiers has great news that AB 1074 was signed by Governor Brown in California. The language in this bill updates the original language of SB 946 (which mandated health plans to cover ABA services for autism) with the goal of removing barriers and expanding access to ABA services for individuals with autism. Please see Behavior Frontiers summary of the bill below:

AB1074.png

 

 

CDCAN Disability-Senior Rights Report:  State Capitol Update - Governor Signs Two Bills (AB 384 and SB 218) Impacting Implementation of ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Act in California

Governor Brown signed 2 of 3 bills regarding Signs AB 384 and SB 218. These bills impact the implementation of the ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) in California. The remaining bill waiting response is AB 688.

 AB 384- The Qualified Able Program: Tax-advantaged Savings Account- Eliminating $100,000 Cap

This bill allows CalABLE Board to administer ABLE accounts for beneficiaries in other states, and removes the $100,000 cap from the exclusion from Medi-Cal eligibility purpose.

Contributions can be made to the account by eligible individuals who are not residents of the state. CalABLE will administer the accounts for these Non-Californians.

AB 384 will take effect on January 1, 2018.

SB 218- The Qualified ABLE Program: Tax-Advantaged Savings Account- Medi-Cal Estate Recovery

Assets in an ABLE account can be transferred to another ABLE account upon death of a designated beneficiary. This will prohibit the state from recovering the balance of an ABLE account to recover Medi-Cal spending.

SB 218 will take effect on September 1, 2018.

AB 688 ABLE Act- Enforcement of Money Judgments- Exemptions

Any money in, contributions or distributions (not exceeding $100,000) for disability expenses from an ABLE account, will not count toward determining eligibility for a state or local means- tested program. Any moneys in shall be exempt from enforcement of a money judgment without making a claim.

AB 688 will take effect on January 1, 2018.

NEXT STEP: Governor has until October 15th, 2017 to sign or veto bills.

More information on CalABLE: http://www.treasurer.ca.gov/able/index.asp

 

FEDERAL ISSUES

The House and Senate Republicans and Democrats are meeting at the end of the month to determine their respective caucus' legislative priorities for 2018. The disability community must remind Congress that we support the Medicaid program and that they should not take steps to cut or cap the program. 

Background 
Key House and Senate leaders have indicated that they would like to cut spending on federal program such as Medicaid in response to the 1.5 trillion dollar loss of revenue due to the tax cuts. Some leaders have been careful to say that Medicare and Social Security are off the table for possible cuts but Medicaid, food assistance, Supplemental Security Income and others remain targets. This is a continuation of the fight in 2017 except they are using different messaging. Medicaid is at risk whether they are calling it "welfare reform" or "opportunities" or "jobs for people", the end result is reducing enrollment in Medicaid and spending less on the program. 

The only feasible way for Congress to enact major cuts or caps to Medicaid this year is through special budget rules (known as reconciliation) that allow the Senate to pass budget-related legislation with a simple majority. But reconciliation cannot proceed without first passing a budget resolution that includes instructions that would allow the Senate to use special budget rules. We must remind Congress that we want to protect Medicaid and other programs. Insist that Congress refuse to include reconciliation instructions in any budget legislation and instead seek bipartisan efforts to strengthen Medicaid and other social programs people with disabilities rely on.      

Take Action  
Call your Representative and Senators today @ 202-224-3121! EVERY call matters. If we can prevent Congress from passing a budget, then Congress will not be able to cut or cap Medicaid. Act now as Congress will be deciding what direction to take at the end of the month.  

What to Say:

  • I am your constituent. 
  • I am a person with a disability (or a family member, or professional in the field).
  • Medicaid provides critical services to people with disabilities. 
  • Protect Medicaid from cuts and caps. 
  • Do not pass a budget that allows Medicaid cuts. 

 S. 1028 RAISE  Family Act - December 20, 2017
The Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage (RAISE) Family Act is going to the House of Representatives for a vote. This bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide support and assistance to the 40 million caregivers in the United States. Additionally, this bill proposes to form an advisory board, bringing individuals from a variety of backgrounds to determine the appropriate and necessary steps to provide caregivers the support that they need.

Tax Reform
Congress passed the Tax Cut and Jobs Act -- the GOP’s tax bill -- this week. The tax reform bill will heavily impact health services for individuals and repeals the individual mandate, a key component of the Affordable Care Act requiring most individuals either to have health insurance coverage or pay a fine. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill will leave 13 million individuals uninsured and it will cut $25 billion from Medicare. In addition to the cut, the bill will also limit benefits to those who are insured, making it more difficult for individuals to access the care that they need.