| In December 2020 Governor Northam released his Budget for the state for fiscal year 2021 (begins July 2021). Last week, each body of the General Assembly released their plans for Virginia’s 2021 Budget. The Arc of Virginia included 2 items in our Funding Priorities this year: Fully Fund Priority 1: There are over 3,000 people on the Priority 1 waiting list.The result at this point is:· Senate proposal includes 650 new DD Waiver Slots House proposal does not include new DD Waiver Slots Eliminate the Inclusion Penalty: Currently, the rate paid for the service Supported Living is significantly than the similar service of Group Home. Both services suport someone up to 24 hours per day, the only difference is the setting. This rate sets up an inequity in a system that is supposed to be focused on building a robust communmity based system. We strongly believe that…Service Rates Should NOT Dictate Choice!! The result at this point is: Senate proposal does not include the funding but it does include specific language directing a review of Suported Living during future rate setting processes House proposal does not include Supported Living funding or language Strategy from here: We are in discussions with key leaders regarding the waiting list and Supported Living. We will bring you updates as we have them. Please watch for ACTION ALERTS related to funding issues as we work to try and move the needle forward for both of these priorities. There are MANY other items in the budgets that are relevant to the DD community. Some of those items are listed below. Please note some items are repeated if they are in both the proposed Senate and House Budgets. Often the proposals of each body take different approaches. The next step is for each chamber (House and Senate) to assing Budget Conferees to negotiate a final budget. The Arc of VA will be working with Conferees to share our positions on each item and we will be calling on grassroots advocates to contact the Legislators on key budget items. So please watch for ACTION ALERTS. Rate Increase for Personal Care Services FY22 – $36.7 million Item 313 #11h (HOUSE) Increase Personal Care Rates (6.4% on May 1, 2021, 14.3% on November 1, 2021) FY21 – $6.3 million FY22 – $60.82 million Item 313 #1s (SENATE) HB 2137 Paid Sick Leave for Personal Care Attendants FY22 – $3.44 million Item 313 #13h (HOUSE) Restore Funding for Medicaid Works for Individuals with Disabilities FY22 – $57,210 Item 313 #4h (HOUSE) Item 313 #7s (SENATE) Support Payments for Medicaid Developmental Disability Waiver Providers FY21 – $15.0 million Item 314 #1s (SENATE) Permanent Continuation of DD Waiver Telehealth/Virtual Services (language) This item paired well with The Arc’s legislative priority for a workgroup to address barriers to Virtual Supports, including Assistive Technology. Item 313 #18h (HOUSE) Item 313 #14s (SENATE) Rebasing Report on Developmental Disability Waiver Rates – provides a reformulation of waiver rates. FY22 – $175,000 Item 320 #1s (SENATE) DD Waiver provider rates to reflect the impact of minimum wage increases – CONTINGENT amendment that only becomes effective IF general fund revenues for fiscal year 2021 exceed the FY21 official forecast. If this happens, the amendment includes three priority items listed in priority order – the DD rate adjustment is #2. FY 22 – $20 M (SENATE) | |
| | What is Next and What can YOU DO? We will continue working with key legislators to move forward the Funding priorities. We will need advocates engaged and taking action by contacting Legislators to tell them that these items are important to the DD Community. 1) Follow our Action Center (button below) 2) Watch email for important ACTION ALERTS on Funding Items!! |
