Fox 29 reporter Joyce Evans, along with her cameraman Shane, spent a few hours at Yellow Daffodil on June 20th. The Yellow Daffodil staff had a great time interacting with the pair and talking about their roles at the shop and life at Woods. Click here to view the segment!
The AHCA would devastate the most vulnerable: people with intellectual disabilities and complex medical needs
*This blog post originally appeared on www.philly.com.
By: Tine Hansen-Turton, CEO of Woods, Dr. Scott Spreat, Chief of Research of Woods, Kristen Erway, Director of Government Affairs of Woods
The American Health Care Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives on May 4, would have a devastating impact on the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They are some of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens.
While most discussion around the AHCA has focused on insurance access and pre-existing conditions, little attention is paid to how the bill would make the most significant and dramatic changes to the Medicaid program since its inception. Instead of paying the cost of all needed care, the bill would impose per capita caps on federal funding. A per capita cap means that the federal government would determine an amount paid to each state each year for each person enrolled in Medicaid. The same amount would be paid to the state for each individual enrolled; however, the costs associated with each individual vary greatly as a function of that individual’s needs and the services they require.
These caps would create a dangerous and unstable situation for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who receive supports and services via Medicaid funding. Caps would not increase to reflect rising health care costs or to reflect increases from people aging into needing more long-term supports and services. Per capita caps will reduce amounts and quality of services and increase the size of the service waiting list. States would be forced to find funding to make up for reduced federal support, a concerning prospect in a state currently facing a $1.2 billion deficit where fiscal year General Fund collections are currently $1.2 billion below estimate. And if funding cannot be found, the inevitable cut will occur – and many of the most vulnerable could die.
Pennsylvania’s intellectual and developmental disability service system is already suffering chronic underfunding, with approximately one-third of agencies losing money each year. Over the past 20 years, growth in the Pennsylvania budget for these services has lagged about 65% behind the general Pennsylvania budget. The result is high workforce turnover, excessive vacancy rates, and most importantly, a significant waiting list for services. The ACHA would tip the scales and make surviving in this environment impossible for many of those currently serving these individuals.
Award-Winning Run for Woods Set for May 6
Langhorne, PA— Woods Services will hold its third annual Run for Woods on Saturday, May 6, 2017, with Faulkner-Ciocca Dealerships once again serving as the Presenting Sponsor. In September, the Run for Woods was presented with three awards from the Best of Bucks contest sponsored by the Courier Times: Best Fundraiser, Best Outdoor Event and Best Family Event. Last year’s event drew more than 1,000 registrants and raised more than $205,000 for educational, vocational, and recreational opportunities for the more than 675 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are served by Woods Services. Families, friends and the local community are invited to participate alongside more than 200 individuals served by Woods by running, walking, or rolling in the 5K or 1 Mile Fun Walk.
The 5K is a flat and fast route that starts on the Woods campus and takes runners, walkers, and rollers through Langhorne Manor Borough and the Borough of Langhorne, both historic districts listed on the National Register. Participants will enjoy the beautiful tree-lined shaded streets of the Boroughs before returning to Woods for the final mile of the Run. Roads will be secured to ensure the safety of all 5K participants and those participating in the 1 Mile Fun Walk will remain on the Woods campus. An awards ceremony, picnic lunch, entertainment, and Fitness Fair will follow the 5K/1 Mile Fun Walk. Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Outback Steakhouse (both located on Tillman Drive in Bensalem) will be on site cooking up their signature dishes for race participants. Desserts will be provided by Corner Bakery Café.
Online registration will remain open at www.runforwoods.org until May 3. The cost is $40 per person and discount registration options are available for children 12 and under. Registrations will also be accepted the morning of the event for $45/person. This is a family-friendly event and all participants ages 7 and up will receive a t-shirt, medal, and an individual online fundraising page with the option to create a fundraising team.
Woods Makes Mark in Latest Edition of Social Innovations Journal
Yesterday, Woods Services was in the spotlight at the Social Innovations Journal (SIJ) launch of issue 32: Social Impact and Innovative Models to Support Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Their Families Throughout the Lifespan. Keynote speakers included Woods’ own Dr. Scott Spreat who presented a brief history of the field as well as studies concerning the employment of people with disabilities both in workshops and in the community that showed a significant drop in employment of people with I/DD when workshops are closed.
Woods CEO, Tine Hansen-Turton, who is the co-founder of the Social Innovations Journal, moderated a panel discussion with topics covering aging in place for people with I/DD; technology improvements that facilitate quality of life enhancements for people with I/DD who have physical, cognitive, emotional and communication challenges; different kinds of supportive living arrangements for people with I/DD; and the harmful impact of the American Health Care Act (AHCA) on Medicaid and Medicare that many of our staff and the individuals we serve rely on.
Numerous staff from Woods and our affiliates submitted articles for this issue of the SIJ that speak to the innovative programs and supports we offer. Please take the time to read their articles and thank them for the great work that they do! You can read their articles at http://www.socialinnovationsjournal.org/editions/current-edition.
Rally for Work Choice at PA Capitol Building
On Monday, March 13, more than 1,000 people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families, friends and advocates from across the state will rally in the Pennsylvania Capitol Building in Harrisburg in support of the “My Work My Choice” initiative.
The Pennsylvania House Human Services Committee, chaired by Representative Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), has also scheduled a hearing for the same day to hear testimony concerning the proposed new regulations by ODP.
The rally takes place in the Capitol Building’s East Wing Rotunda at 10:30 a.m. and will be kicked off by Representative Eric Nelson (R-Westmoreland County). Legislators from throughout the Commonwealth will also be speaking as well as several individuals employed in workshops and their family members. The rally will end shortly after 11:00 and will be followed by the House Human Services Committee meeting at 11:15 in room G-50 in the Irvis Office Building.
In the Bucks County region, in addition to representative DiGirolamo, Representative Frank Farry (R) and Senator Robert “Tommy” Tomlinson (R) have been instrumental in advocating for changes to the proposals put forward by ODP.
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