by Anne L. Henry
Governor
Pawlenty has proposed to eliminate MinnesotaCare for adults without
children and to continue to limit the number of persons who can
access home and community waiver programs to avoid institutional
care as part of his budget for the next two years. Also, the Governor
did not fund any cost-of-living (COLA) increase for home and community
services programs and staff, although nursing facilities would
receive a 2 percent increase. In addition, none of the harmful
health care cuts imposed in 2003, such as co-payments, the $500
annual limit on dental care, the $125 per month cut for low-income
families with SSI and the steep parent fee increases, were remedied
in the Governor’s
proposed budget. The Governor is cutting health care services as
part of a plan to close a $1.4 billion (including inflation) deficit
for the next biennium without raising taxes.
The
Governor’s proposed budget, unveiled January 25, 2005, cuts
$80 million by terminating MinnesotaCare health coverage for about
38,000 low-income adults without children and 8,200 parents on MinnesotaCare.
Adults without children, a number of whom have chronic conditions
such as multiple sclerosis, cancer, and bipolar disorder, have
been told they have three options:
1) get private coverage;
2)
spend down their income to $582 per month and assets to $1,000 to
qualify for General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) or;
3) do without
health care.
Minnesota’s
hospitals have presented information showing a significant jump in
uncompensated care in the past year, which is arguably due to cuts
in health care coverage made during the 2003 Session. There is concern
that further cuts will not only be devastating for the individuals
affected, but will further increase uncompensated care which is then
spread to the remaining insured population through higher costs and
insurance premiums.
The
caseload limits for the home and community waiver program will
mean that nearly 4,500 persons with disabilities will not be able
to obtain services through the CADI (nursing home level of care),
TBI (traumatic brain injury), and DD (for persons with developmental
disabilities) waiver programs. The Governor’s proposed cut in the home and
community waiver programs will save the state $51 million for the ‘06, ‘07
biennium, but result in a loss of $103 million in service funding
because our state will lose out on federal Medicaid matching funds.
The continued limitation of resources for persons with disabilities
who are trying to avoid institutional care and maintain or improve
their functioning in the community will cause serious individual
hardship, pressure on county budgets and increased waiting lists.
While proposing significant and painful cuts to health care, the Governor
also proposes to increase the staff at the Department of Human Services
by 71 positions.
The Governor’s
budget will be considered by both bodies of the Legislature as
they each develop separate budget bills. Persons with disabilities
affected by these proposals can contact their legislators by going
to the State of Minnesota legislative website: www.state.leg.mn.us and
by participating in hearings and rallies at the Capitol which will
be publicized through information from disability groups and the
Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities and here at Access Press
at www.accesspress.org.
