Changes in Florida Medicaid - What You Need to Know Now! |
Breaking News about Medicaid:
On February 1, 2006 the House passed the budget reconciliation bill, which significantly reduces Medicaid benefits to children and adults with disabilities and their families.
Medicaid
Medicaid provides essential health and support services to low income individuals and certain children and adults with disabilities. Seniors and adults with disabilities receive health care, prescription drug coverage, long-term care, and community living support services through Medicaid. Thanks to Medicaid, children receive developmental and medical services that help them get a good start in life. Nearly one in ten American women—and one-third of all poor women—rely on the Medicaid program for their health care. Medicaid is an essential safety-net and lifeline for millions of low-income citizens with and without disabilities.
More than 1.6 million Floridian children get health coverage through Medicaid, which provides comprehensive health services for low-income children and children with disabilities.
Several changes in Medicaid were made by Florida’s Legislature. A few regarding children’s health care are as follows:
- Continues coverage for all children currently eligible for Medicaid;
- Maintains the term of children's coverage (continuous eligibility period) at six months; and
- Directs that Preferred Drug List (PDL) be implemented, with prior authorization required for prescribed drugs not on PDL.
NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT!
EDUCATE YOURSELF & YOUR FAMILY
For many people with disabilities, Medicaid is critical. Without it, they would be unable to obtain their health care. Recently there has been a move by the Bush Administration to change the Federal government's participation in this plan. The following is a fact sheet put out by Families USA, which indicates how devastating this plan will be to people with disabilities. Further information can be found at their website: www.familiesusa.org.
Please begin to call, write, and email your US Senators and Representatives. Too many people will suffer if this bill goes through as indicated.
Next steps: State Implementation of Federal Budget Legislation
The Legislative Advocacy Network of Parent to Parent of Miami is encouraging its supporters to be very active at the state level as legislatures and governors grapple with how they are going to implement the new Medicaid changes. Our efforts will be focused primarily on how the new “cost sharing opportunities” and the possible restructure of the Early, Periodic, Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment program will affect families of children with special needs. These two provisions could result in the reduction or elimination of necessary services to children and adults with disabilities. States can implement these changes January 1, 2007
For more information on how to get involved please e-mail Shannon Mora at smora@ptopmiami.org. If you would like more information, please read the following publications to learn more about the new Medicaid law:
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