Invitation from President Richard Batt to Urgent Meeting Regarding Proposed Federal and State Changes
February 13, 2008
Date: February 12, 2008
To: Franklin Health Leaders Forum
Local Legislators
School Leaders
Town Managers
Maine Hospital Association
Director, Maine Bureau of Health and Department of Health and Human Services
MaineCare Medical Director
Executive Vice President, Maine Children’s Alliance
Congressman Mike Michaud’s Office
Senator Susan Collin’s Office
General Public
From: Richard Batt, President
RE: Urgent Meeting Scheduled for Tuesday, February 26 from 3:30 – 5:00p.m., Bass Room in the Ben Franklin Center, Franklin Memorial Hospital
Dear Colleagues,
We have organized an urgent meeting for members of the Franklin Health Leaders Forum, area legislative representatives, school leadership and interested parties to meet with representatives from the Commissioner’s Office of both the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services to discuss proposed major Federal and State changes that would have significant negative impact locally. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 26 from 3:30 – 5:00p.m. in the Bass Room in the Ben Franklin Center at Franklin Memorial Hospital.
The purpose of this meeting is to 1) understand the nature of the changes, and 2) discuss whether there is an opportunity to use influence to get changes reversed at the State or local level.
The statewide impact is estimated at $200 million per year. There will be a significant impact on MaineCare, which will affect vulnerable populations. The detail of exactly how these changes will affect organizations and clients is yet to be fully identified. Some of the proposed changes will diminish Federal funding which some schools presently use to cover certain costs associated with special education programs. This reduction of Federal and State funding from MaineCare could have a negative impact on local taxpayers who might have to pick up the difference. For this reason local towns could ultimately be affected by these MaineCare changes. The substantive changes in federal Medicaid rules includes five rule changes that will eliminate federal dollars that have supported healthcare services for the elderly, persons with developmental disabilities, school-aged children and persons with mental illness. The areas affected are: 1) Targeted Case Management; 2) Rehabilitation Services; 3) Hospital Outpatient Physician Services; 4) Administrative / Transportation Services; and 5) Certified Public Expenditure (“Certified Seed”).
It is important that we be well-informed about what is going to happen and that we think about whether we can influence the proposed changes. Prior to this meeting you may find it helpful to visit the following website http://www.maine.gov/education/medicaid.html to obtain additional background information.
Please join us for this important meeting to discuss this critical issue that will impact many agencies and individuals within our area.
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