Ohio Medicaid Waiver Program-OHPCAN Alert

July 02, 2009   Help Save Ohio's Waiver Programs   While state programs adjust to the 70% funding levels of the 7-day interim budget, lawmakers turn their attention back to figuring out where they can find dollars to fill the $3 billion hole in the biennial budget. Waiver programs, considered optional under Medicaid, are being eyed as possible sources of revenue.  You heard that right-legislators are looking heave the budget burden onto the shoulders of Ohio's disabled and elderly citizens. CALL YOUR LEGISLATOR TODAY AND TELL HIM/HER  THAT WAIVER PROGRAMS, LIKE PASSPORT AND THE OHIO HOMECARE PROGRAM, ARE VITAL TO THE HEALTH OF VULNERABLE OHIOANS. Mention that: ·         Home care has been shown to save tens of thousands of dollars annually per beneficiary, since home care costs only a fraction of what facility-based care costs. ·         People will still seek care if they do not receive supportive services, but they will seek it in costlier settings. This will result in higher rates of hospitalizations, increased enrollment in costlier settings such as nursing facilities, and increased reliance on already-strained informal caregivers. ·         The Ohioans most likely to be hurt by cuts to waiver programs are the most vulnerable Ohioans: those suffering chronic debilitating disease or those coping with long-term disability. Your patients need you right now to be their advocate. Call your state Representative and Senator TODAY to tell them how important waiver programs are to the most vulnerable Ohioans.  You can find your legislators' phone numbers by visiting  http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/ and using the "Locating Legislators" tool for your home address. Please call them rather than writing or emailing.   It is the only way to guarantee your message is heard by a real person who can communicate the importance of hospice to your legislator. It is particularly important if your Representative or Senator is one of the Conference Committee members, since they will have the most direct impact on the budget negotiations. Conference Committee members are: Governor Ted Strickland                614-466-3555  Senator John Carey                        614-466-8156  Senator Dale Miller                        614-466-5123  Senator Mark Wagoner                  614-466-8060  Senator Tom Niehaus                     614-466-8082  Representative Vernon Sykes        614-466-3100  Representative Ron Amstutz         614-466-1474  Representative Jay Goyal              614-466-5802  Representative Linda Bolan          614-466-8022 On behalf of the Ohio Home, Hospice & Palliative Care Advocacy Network, thank you in advance for your commitment and advocacy for those Ohioans facing serious illness.  Please contact Susan Wallace, Public Policy Coordinator by emailing [email protected] if you encounter any difficulties, or if you need additional information or support.  ©2009 Ohio Hospice & Palliative Care Organization Ohio Home Care Organization 555 Metro Place North, Suite 650 :: Dublin, Ohio 43017-1375 (614) 763-0036 :: 1-800-776-9513 :: fax (614) 763-0050

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