After 13 Years of Neglect, It’s Time to Solve Pennsylvania’s Brain Injury Funding Crisis | Opinion by RCPA President/CEO Richard Edley
Funding
National Council Shares Next Steps in Advocating Against Medicaid Funding Cuts
State Representative Dan Miller to Host “The Defense of Medicaid” Press Conference Feb. 28
Message from Representative Dan Miller’s Office:
Supporting and defending Medicaid funding to our Commonwealth has always been a top priority of mine, and this week we’re having a press conference to discuss the potential impact that Federal cuts to Medicaid may have on our most vulnerable populations.
Joining me will be U.S. Reps. Chris Deluzio and Summer Lee, other state lawmakers, and Allegheny County officials to highlight why defending Medicaid is imperative. We will also hear from self-advocates who would be directly impacted by Medicaid changes.
The loss of Federal funding to states would be devasting for the more than 3 million Pennsylvanians who are enrolled in Medicaid. Medicaid also pays for 30% of Medicare. Those that depend on its supports and services, include:
- Seniors
- Low-income families and individuals
- People with disabilities
- Pregnant women and children, and many more.
The news conference will be held at 10:15 am Friday, February 28, at the Portico of the City-County Building, 414 Grant St., Pittsburgh.
We’ll also be joined by state Reps. Dan Frankel, Emily Kinkead, Jess Benham, Lindsay Powell, Aerion Abney, La’Tasha D. Mayes and Arvind Venkat; state Sens. Jay Costa, Wayne Fontana, Lindsey Williams and Nick Pisciottano; Mayor Ed Gainey; Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor; Pittsburgh Councilwoman Erika Strassburger; and the offices of County Executive Sara Innamorato and U.S. Sen. John Fetterman.
There is a lot to be discussed, and everyone is welcome to join us this Friday at 10:15 am at the Portico of the City-County Building located at 414 Grant Street in downtown Pittsburgh.
As always, if you have questions about this event or any state-related matter, please contact our office at 412-343-3870 or RepMiller@pahouse.net.
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TBI Service Providers Look for Increase in Funds for First Time in 13 Years: Richard Edley, President/CEO of RCPA, Quoted, and RCPA Member Acadia NeuroRehab Featured
Funding Main Focus of Luzerne County Providers Association’s Annual Legislative Breakfast: Event Co-Moderated by Richard Edley, President/CEO of RCPA, and Jack Phillips, Director of Government Affairs
RCPA Publishes White Paper Evaluating School-Based Mental Health Funds
The Center Square: Brain Injury Assistance Needs More Awareness, Funding
Second Federal Judge Issues Temporary Restraining Order
Message from ANCOR:
A second federal judge has blocked the freeze on federal spending noticed earlier in the week through a memo from OMB.
The order directs the Trump Administration not to “pause, freeze, impede, block, cancel, or terminate defendants’ compliance with awards and obligations to provide federal financial assistance to the states, and defendants shall not impede the states’ access to such awards and obligations” until further arguments can be heard.
The order does not prevent the review of federal programs, only the freeze on federal spending during the review. The OMB memo was rescinded prior to the issuance of the order, but the judge expressed earlier in the week that he was not persuaded that withdrawing the memo removed the underlying harm.
A hearing is expected Monday on the previous restraining order issued earlier in the week. We’ll keep you posted as we learn more.
Lydia Dawson, JD
ANCOR | Vice President of Government Relations
571-932-5375
Urgent Request for BI Information From Legislative Leadership
As was shared in the RCPA Alert sent on Tuesday, January 28, the House Human Services and Insurance Committees held a joint informational meeting on January 29 on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Care Needs and Coverage Options, where testimony was provided by RCPA, OLTL, Success Rehabilitation, BIAPA, and insurers.
Following the hearing, leadership from the House Human Services Committee has requested additional information from BI providers. Please review the questions below and provide responses to Melissa Dehoff by close of business Monday, February 3.
- Is your organization accredited by CARF as a Brain Injury Residential Rehabilitation Program (Adult) or Community Housing?
- Do you provide other non-residential services through the waiver? If so, please list them.
The important message to share is that we have the legislators’ attention! Things are moving very quickly; there are many meetings, calls, and ongoing communications with leadership in the legislature as we enter the key phase of budget negotiations.
It is critical that we have full participation in providing this information from every single BI provider/program. If we do not provide responses from 100% of our BI members, it could have an impact on funds being allocated to us in the budget.
Please contact Melissa Dehoff with questions and your responses.
DisabilityScoop: Trump Effort To Freeze Federal Funding Sows Confusion For Medicaid, Disability Programs
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