Editor's Column
by
Tim Benjamin
The legislative session is
over, and like a lot of folks I’m left feeling that it was
supposed to end up with more positive results for people with disabilities.
I’ve talked to many people who say, “But
we were supposed to get so much accomplished in this session—the governor
even agreed to work with the democratic majority.” Yet, to be fair, there
were some compromises that worked for us.
I’m grateful that Special
Education got some needed extra funding. There is also legislation
that mandates a needed reduction in co-pays for those on medical
assistance (MA) and general assistance medical care (GAMC)—but the real kicker with the
co-pays is that the reduction doesn’t start until January 1,
2009. And of course, we can’t forget the 2-percent cost-of-living
increase in the next two years for community and institutional long-term
care providers that will be effective October 1, 2007, and July 1,
2008. Our personal care attendants will get a much-needed salary
increase. They are still sorely under-compensated for the hard work
that most of them do.
Certainly, it’s good
news that the Centers for Independent
Living got big support in this
legislative session. After several years of them being almost forgotten,
this year just about made up for previous short-falls. The Centers
do good work, and now with the state’s backing, they will be able to expand their
services.
The biggest news is the $44.5
million increase in mental health funding. I am not yet really clear
on how the new influx in mental health support will be distributed.
Next month we will have an article explaining the ins and outs of
the complex Mental Health Initiative. Meanwhile, a ten-page question-and-answer
summary at the Department of Human Services provides an overview: www.dhs.state.mn.us
The tragedy at Virginia
Tech illustrates, in such a sad way, the vital need for all of
us to support our friends and family who struggle daily with mental
health problems. I have been struggling myself with how to discuss
here in Access Press the Virginia
Tech massacre committed by Cho
Seung-Hui, as there are so many questions on what should have been
done and what could have been done. How could we have intervened
in this young man’s life, keeping in mind his
civil rights and the rights of those with whom he lived? Even when
the likelihood of someone with a mental illness committing the devastating
acts that Hui did is very low, we can’t keep letting down these
young people that are having so much trouble with their mental health.
Nor can we continue to dishonor their victims. We haven’t done
anything about gun control, for instance. Many would say that I’m
naive to think that fewer guns would decrease gun violence. Well,
not too many years ago I myself argued against increasing gun control,
but the time has come when everything has to be put on the table
to be considered! What do you think? I invite your thoughts, arguments
or disagreements with me or the articles.
VSA arts is our sponsor
this month. As you all know, they do wonderful things for people
with disabilities in the state and nationally. I’m proud
to be associated with this organization. We all benefit from the
fabulous work they do for people with disabilities in the arts.
See the VSA arts article
for some details on VSA arts and some of the events that they will
be bringing us. If you didn’t
know, it is the staff of VSA arts that bring you Accessible
Performances each month in Access Press. Thank you,
Craig Dunn, Jon Skaalen and Amie Pence. We applaud you! ![]()
