February 21, 2002
The Senate Ways and Means Committee finished work on the SRS
Budget. They
basically accepted the Governor's deep cut budget. They did however target
items as priorities to be discussed at Omnibus. We assume that means if
an
enhancement package is approved these items would be on the list for
consideration for funding.
They are:
1. Pharmacy Drug Dispensing Fee Reduction. In addition to the CO pay issue,
pharmacists are also being cut . 50
for each prescription dispensed. This
item got some discussion.
2. Family Preservation.
3. DD Community grants.
4. Community Mental Health Grants.
5. Funeral Services. This means poor people get no assistance with funeral or
burying. It's another on the list
every year.
6. HCBS Waiting Lists. Both PD and MR/DD.
Senator Feleciano did a Minority report describing his concerns about not
funding all of the above now and he added concerns we all have about
additional $1.00 for Pharmacy co-pays. Thanks to Senator Feleciano for his
courage!
Department On Aging budget was heard this week in House Subcommittee.
Report
will go to full appropriations committee next week. Compelling testimony
by
SILC, Area Agencies on Aging, Kirk Lowery from TILRC and KACIL
all expressed
concerns about shortfall in budget for in home services and HCBS services for
Aging.
Next week the House Sub Committee will begin SRS Budget with HEARINGS ON SRS
BUDGET ON TUESDAY. They meet in room 519 at 3:30 in the afternoon.
Our
intent would not be to overwhelm them with testimony, but we hope we can
count on the excellent testimony from those who gave it in the Senate, and
once again, to ensure there are folks there to hear the testimony.
Please read info on HB 2020. It now needs to get out of committee and
approved on House floor with no amendments (see alert from
Becca)
We also need calls for SB 516. See KIC alert. ( if you didn't get that
one,
let me know and I will forward it to you.
Whew! Busy week at the statehouse with no rest in the near future!
Thanks for all your hard work, don't give up, we've only just begun!