CCPA Public Policy Updates

CCPA Legislative Documents & Agenda

CCPA Public Policy Updates:

• Legislature Fails to Override Governor’s Veto of PA 08-165 An Act Establishing a Community-Based Health and Human Services Cabinet~ After a long debate yesterday afternoon, the Senate failed (by one vote) to override the Governor’s veto of PA 08-165, An Act Establishing a Community-Based Health and Human Services Cabinet.  Legislators on both sides of the aisle discussed the value of community providers and the importance of the services we provide.  Democrats including Senator Slossberg, Senator Harris, and Senate President Williams argued that the Cabinet would be a means to a long-term funding solution and would help the state effectively plan for these vital services.  Republicans emphasized past studies and the need for true fiscal action over a Commission. 

   

  Although there was significant support in the House, the bill never made it there for a debate.  However, it is clear that this concept will be resurrected again next session.  We are hopeful that the spirit of the debate and sense of support for community providers will carry into next session and help us to become a budget priority.  We’ve spoken with the media and expect news coverage today in the Stamford Advocate and Journal Inquirer.  Please click here to see recent press coverage.

   

  Thank you to all members for your assistance in advocating with your local legislators.  Please feel free to contact us with any questions or for more information.

• Governor’s Rescissions~ Governor Rell issued her rescission package for FY09 on June 24, 2008, cutting many line items in the state budget by up to 5%.  There were several cuts to community provider accounts.  In discussing these cuts with the press, CCPA has emphasized that these cuts come on the heels of a 0% COLA and the Governor’s veto of P.A. 08-165 An Act Establishing a Community-Based Health and Human Services Strategy Board. 

   

  CCPA cited the May US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI increase of 4.2% with spikes in fuel and food, in contrast to the 0% increase for private providers and these rescissions.  http://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi_06132008.pdf

   

  OPM

   

  Private Providers          ($1,950,000)

   

  This 5% cut in the private provider account represents funds that were not allocated for the annualization of the FY08 COLA adjustment.  (OPM calculated that of the $39 M allocated for the FY08 COLA, only $36.8 M was needed to fund the private provider COLA.  This left a balance of $3.2 M in the account in FY09 not utilized for annualization.)

   

  While this sum doesn’t affect an individual provider agency or service, the $1.95 M could have been used by community providers to offset increases in energy costs and other unanticipated expenses.

   

  DMHAS 

   

  Housing Supports and Services ($629,927)

   

  CCPA is seeking clarification from DMHAS about this 5% reduction in funding.  Does this represent start-up delays or does it reflect program cuts?

   

  DSS

   

  Housing/ Homeless Services                 ($2,122,341)

   

  Does this 5% cut represent start-up delays or does it reflect program cuts?

   

  DCF

   

  Board and Care – Residential               ($150,000)

   

  This reduction is less than a .1% reduction in the account.

   

  Judicial

   

  Alternative Incarceration Program         ($2,840,242)

  Juvenile Alternative Incarceration          ($1,546,824)

  Juvenile Justice Centers                       ($158,469)

  Youthful Offender Services                   ($454,465)

• Cost Settlement Analysis~ Click here to read the data for DDS programs.

• DMHAS FY09 Letter to OPM Secretary, Robert L. Genuario~  Click here to read the letter from DMHAS to OPM regarding Midterm Budget Adjustments dated October 19, 2007

• The March 6th press conference generated a lot of publicity about the Community Provider Rescue Fund within the Capitol and through TV, radio and print coverage.

Below, Barry Simon, CCPA Chairman of the Board, explains the need for the Community Provider Rescue Fund as legislators sponsoring the bill and CCPA Members line up in support.

Alyssa Goduti of CCPA stands between Rep. Miller of Stratford

and CCPA Member, Marilyn Cormack of Birmingham Group

Health Services.

Senator Jonathan Harris speaks to reporters as CCPA Member,

Heather Gates of Community Health Resources, looks on .

• The Community Provider Rescue Fund public hearing on February 26th had a large turnout.  Below are some pictures from the event.

Barry Simon, Executive Director of Gilead Community Services

and CCPA Chairman of the Board is pictured with clients,

Patrick and Mary.

CCPA Members (Stan Soby of Oak Hill, Pam Fields of Arc of Meriden-Wallingford, and Steve Becker of HARC) and Alyssa Goduti of CCPA proudly wear their "Community Provider Rescue Fund" stickers.

• CCPA writes to Governor Rell, House Speaker James Amann and Senate President Don Williams~ about the "inadequate and discouraging" 0% cost of services adjustment in FY09.  Click here to see a sample letter.

• CCPA Honors Legislators Jonathan Harris and Gayle Slossberg at the CCPA 39th Annual Meeting on December 12, 2007.

Honoree, Senator Jonathan Harris, stands with Terry Edelstein

and Anne Ruwet.

CCPA Legislative Documents:

Descriptions of Indices Used by CCPA

Compounded Provider COLA Compared with Compounded Medical Consumer Price Index

Compounded Private Provider COLA Compared with Compounded Home Health Market Basket

Compounded Private Provider COLA Compared with Compounded Consumer Price Index

Compounded Growth of Adult Community Mental Health Clinic Medicaid Rates Compared with Compounded Medical Consumer Price Index