Waiver Renewals Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) must find alternatives to their unsuccessful attempt to utilize an overarching 1115 Waivers to replace existing unrenewable waivers. The Arc Michigan will need to follow this work and monitor the Department’s efforts to […]
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Courtney
Trump Administration 2019 Budget Request: Old Ideas and Big Cuts
Today, the Trump Administration released a budget request that if passed by Congress, would put the lives of people with disabilities at risk. The proposal includes deep cuts to Medicaid, the core program providing access to health care and home and community-based services for people with disabilities. The cuts come in the same form as […]
The Arc Responds to Three Month Extension of Money Follows the Person Passing Congress
Last week, the Medicaid Extenders Act of 2019 was signed by President Trump. A three-month funding extension for Money Follows the Person (MFP) was included in this bill. This program moves people with disabilities from institutions into the community by paying for programs not normally covered by Medicaid such as employment and housing services. “Passage […]
The Arc Responds to Department of Education Announcement on Restraint and Seclusion
Today, in response to the U.S. Department of Education’s announcement of an initiative to address the inappropriate use of restraint and seclusion on students with disabilities, Julie Ward, The Arc’s Senior Executive Officer for Public Policy, issued the following statement: “The Arc appreciates the Department’s new effort to protect students with disabilities from the harmful […]
The Arc Responds to Texas U.S. District Court Judge’s Ruling on the Affordable Care Act
The Arc Responds to Texas U.S. District Court Judge’s ruling that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional: “This ruling by District Court Judge Reed O’Connor in Texas v. Azar is of great concern. To strike down the entirety of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) puts the health of millions at risk, but we know that […]
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New SSA Phone Scam
There’s a new phone scam targeting Social Security beneficiaries that advocates for older adults should be aware of. The Federal Trade Commission is warning that scammers are engaging in a caller ID trick called “spoofing” to make it appear that they are calling from the Social Security Administration (SSA). These phony callers claim […]
SSA 2019 Cost of Living Adjustment
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2019, SSI RATES ARE ESTABLISHED AS FOLLOWS: LIVING SITUATIONS FEDERAL STATE TOTAL Household of Another $514.00 $ 9.33* $523.33 Sharing/Independent $771.00 $14.00* $785.00 Personal Care/AFC $771.00 $157.50 $928.50 COUPLE-House of Another $771.34 $13.96* $785.30 COUPLE-Independent $1,157.00 $21.00* $1,178.00 ****************************************************************************** *The payment of the […]
Our Hearts Are Heavy: A Statement on the Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting
A statement from The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh, known as ACHIEVA, on the shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue this weekend. Two of their clients, Cecil and David Rosenthal were victims of the attack. On behalf of the Board of Directors and Staff of The Arc, we offer our most heartfelt sympathy to the entire ACHIEVA family on […]
Advocacy Alert! ~ Caregiver Staffing Crisis
ADVOCACY ALERT! THE ISSUE: CAREGIVER STAFFING CRISIS. People with developmental disabilities or mental illness rely on direct care workers for essential supports which enable them to access their community, work, and live full, meaningful lives. Inadequate wages have created a critical direct care shortage. Turnover rates average 37%. Some providers have been forced to discontinue […]