LEGISLATIVE ISSUES

Fall Update 2009
Community-based Services, Civil Rights, and Discrimination Issues

The Center for Medicaid Services (CMS) sought public comment for their intent for a proposed rule change to the Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waivers.

The following links are letters written by PPP related to this proposed rule change.

• PPP's comments to CMS
• Letter to Roosevelt Freeman, Regional Mgr. of the Office for Civil Rights Region 4
• Letter to the Florida Advocacy Center regarding their comments to CMS
• Letter to Henry Claypool, Director of the Office of Disability of the US Dept. of Health and Human Services
• Letter to Debra Dowds and the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC) regarding comments to CMS

The following link is a synopsis of letters written by members of the FDDC Alternative Residential Options Work Group to object to the CMS comments.

• Alternative Residential Options Work Group members' responses to FDDC's CMS comments vis-a-vis the Work Group

Legislative Issues 2009

Senator Thad Altman filed Senate Bill 1124 and Representative Kelli Stargel filed House Bill 371 amending s. 419.001, F.S.

The Senate and House bills passed through all the necessary committees. Unfortunately, when the bill reached the floor of the House, it was postponed because of a last-minute attachment of an amendment that did not pertain.

PPP compiled a list of "talking points" presenting a rationale for the amendment to s. 419.001, F.S.

PPP also wrote to legislators in the Florida Senate and House urging their support of these bills.

Many individuals and families wrote letters to legislators and to PPP in support of the amendments.

An iPetition to Support Planned Residential Communities was launched.

The FDDC circulated a hostile Alert that misrepresented the intent of the bill. A hostile iPetition urging a veto of our legislation was also started, which censored out dissenting comments.

Background

The objective of establishing planned residential communities met with some very serious obstacles in the form of proximity issues such as the "Thousand Foot Rule" contained in Ch. 419.001F.S.

We encourage you to explore the documents we've collected in our efforts to pave the way for clearing these obstacles so that we can accomplish our mission.

2008-2009

• Federal Law Providing Basis and Justification for Amendment
• Talking points -- PPP with State Legislators
• Documentation Sent to Senator Altman and Representative Stargel in support of Amendment to Ch. 419
• PPP Address to Legislative Delegation 12/1/08
• PPP Letter to Geraldo Rivera 1/2/09
• Mike Dunn's Defense of 10% Density Rule
• FFDDNEWS.COM regarding Mike Dunn's Defense of 10% Density Rule
• Advocacy Center Argues to Keep 10% Density Rule
• Hobson's Choice - a parent's reply to Advocacy Center
• PPP Letter to Governor Charlie Christ regarding Advocacy Center's Position

2007-2008

• Goals and Advocacy
• The 10% Density Rule -- Dead or Alive???
• Position Statement
• PPP Letter to Mr. Tom Rice, APD Operations Review Specialist
• Community Inclusion?
      An e-mail from one of our members
• Sample Letter to Legislators
• Letter to Governor Crist

Other Issues sent to us by DSI Supporters

e-Mail to Ed Carraway, Pres. on Dental Care Issues for people with Developmental Disabilities from Matt Holder, MD MBA, Executive Director (AADMD)

www.aadmd.org American Academy of Developmental Medicine & Dentistry