Legislative Alert April 05

Legislative Summary April 2004

NAMI-Madison County Legislative Update (Updated April 05, 2004)

SUPPORT HB 5000H

Thanks to all your efforts!
....it looks like a small victory of sorts with a long way yet to go.

Due to growing concern over the Illinois Department of Human Services' proposal to overhaul funding mechanisms for programs that serve the mentally ill and developmentally disabled, Speaker of the House Michael J. Madigan has authorized the formation of a special committee to review the Administration's proposal on converting the state's MI/DD/ASA services to Fee-For-Service.

Governor Blagojevich in his recent budget proposal recommends converting the community mental health system from the current grant arrangement to a Fee For Service (FFS) and competitively bid Request For Proposal (RFP) model. The new system is referred to as MAX (Maximize Accountability and Access). For an in depth look at these new models, click here: Fee For Service (FFS) model and the Request for Proposal (RFP) model for choosing community mental health providers.

We all need to help Illinois’ disabled children and adults escape the tragic consequences of uninformed and unnecessary - short-term budget actions.

There is general consensus that the new system is not a bad one, but the speed with which the Governor wants it implemented is potentially devastating. To put it in perspective, many advocates view the proposals as the biggest threat to disabled children, adults and their families since de-institutionalization.

It is estimated that implementation of the Governor's proposal will reduce mental health services by 25%. Providers cannot absorb a 90 day delay in payment, and covered services have not been defined.

HB5000h is a vehicle for slowing down the process proposed in Gov. Blagojevich's 2005 budget which would implement a Fee For Service payment plan for providers such as Chestnut Health Systems, Community Counseling, Comprehensive Mental Health, etc. effective July 1, 2004. The concern is that putting the Governor's proposal into effect in July could have disastrous results on the delivery of services for mentally ill clients.

HB5000h in its present form provides that the Dept. of Human Services may initiate a 2 year pilot project to phase in the improvement of delivery of community-based services by contract, which will:

	1. increase the number of service contracts open to a competitive selection process.
	2. increase the number of programs contracted on a fee-for-service basis.
	3. attract more federal Medicaid matching dollars
	4. utilize performance-based contracts in the provision of such service.

What can you do to help?

	1. Contact your Representative.
	2. Ask for support of HB 5000h.
	3. If support is offered, ask your Representative to serve as a co-sponsor for HB 5000h.

This friday (04/02/04) is the deadline for HB 5000h to clear the House!
see Committee Action below
ALL NAMI-IL MEMBERS ARE ASKED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR LEGISLATORS TO EXPLAIN OUR CONCERNS AND ASK THAT THEY SUPPORT HB 5000h.

Capitol Complex Telephone
Numbers

Information Desks

	State House	217-782-2099
	Stratton Building - North Wing	217-782-6545
	Stratton Building - South Wing	217-782-6445

Sample Letter: ADVOCACY Letter HB5000h
Find Your Legislator: Click Here

Committee Action:
On March 4, 2004, HB 5000h was passed as Amended (House Amendment No. 1) by the Developmental Disabilities and Mental Illness Committee in the House. A second hearing was held by the Developmental Disabilities and Mental Illness Committee in the House on Friday 03/26/04. Amendment No. 2 passed unanimously (7-0-0). A third Amendment was filed by Rep. Lee A. Daniels on 3/30/2004, and referred to the Rules Committee. A fourth Amendment was filed by Rep. Lee A. Daniels on 3/31/2004, and referred to the Rules Committee. Friday 04/02/04 was the deadline for HB 5000h to clear the House, but by Committee/3rd Reading Deadline Extended-Rule 9(b) the deadline has been extended to April 30, 2004.

Please Contact your Representative today!

The Illinois House Special Committee on Fee-For-Services Initiatives:

Is chaired by floor leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-25);

Co-Vice chairs are Lee Daniels, William Delgado and Sara Feigenholtz;

Will establish a schedule for hearings to determine the proper steps Illinois should take to ensure the quality of our states MI/DD treatment sevices;

Provides for 10 Majority Member appointments and 10 Minority Member appointments;

Makes the following additional Majority appointments

Representative Jim Brosnahan

Representative Mary Flowers

Representative Julie Harnos

Representative Connie Howard

Representative David Miller

Representative Harry Osterman

Thanks again for all your efforts!

A letter to send your State Representatives, Click here: ADVOCACY Letter HB5000h
Find Your Legislator: Click Here

You can check this bill’s wording and status on the Illinois General Assembly web site: http://www.legis.state.il.us\

Any questions, contact either Sandy Giger at 644-5705, skgiger@hotmail.com or Mary Gauen at 288-4376, katiegauen@aol.com

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SUPPORT HB 5000H

Date Modified: Saturday December 31, 2005