THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS PASSED A 6 MONTH MORATORIUM ON THESE CUTS! A permanent repeal will take lots more work.

Dear Colleagues,
Here are my notes from the LEAnet's web conference on Medicaid cuts.

Status of the moratorium on Medicaid cuts to school and other providers:
The moratorium bill is attached to Iraq funding. The moratorium has already passed the House. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill next week. The LEAnet feels the moratorium will pass (it has broad bi-partisan support and its attached to Iraq funding.) The moratorium will put a stay on 7 federal cuts until April 1, 2009. We will have until then to pass legislation to roll back these cuts. If the moratorium doesn't pass for some reason, state medicaid agencies are preparing to stop taking billing from schools.

The three cuts most important to schools are:
2287 - Administrative (MAA) and transportation
2237 - Targeted case management
2261 - Restricts rehabilitation services, including mental health services, and licensure for who can deliver these services.
For more information visit the LEAnet resources webpage. The LEANet will also post senators' and representatives' names who have and have not supported the moratorium. http://www.theleanet.com/resources.htm

John DiCecco from LAUSD has a good powerpoint on why this funding is critical for children and the services schools and CA Healthy Start provides. He also made the point that although he represents the second largest school district in the US these cuts are even more detrimental to small school districts. I believe his short powerpoint will be added to the LEAnet resources page.

Side note: Having Senator Kennedy out is very critical as he is the most powerful senate supporter. We must be diligent in reaching out to our own senators to maintain support. Also Senator Kennedy has been trying to amend Title IXX to make schools an official part of the health care system.

The LEAnet is in critical need of members. You can sign up on their website. If Region 1 Healthy Start or FRC directors will not be accessing work email for anytime during the summer, I would be happy to forward LEAnet email to your personal email.

Beth Hart
Hart Consulting
916-487-8018 Phone
916-481-7446 Fax
916-813-5481 Cell
beth@hartjourneys.com
http://www.hartjourneys.com/