Volume 10, Number 4
May, 2011
Health Reform Update
By Jean P. Hall, PhD, KU Evaluation Team Principal Investigaor
A recent poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation indicated that almost one quarter of the American public believed that the health reform law, the Affordable Care Act, had been repealed. Another quarter was uncertain about the status of the law. Despite these misperceptions, the law is still in effect and mandated changes continue to occur. Many of the most sweeping changes, such as implementation of health insurance exchanges, do not take effect until 2014, but other changes have already been implemented. Some of the changes that have already taken effect and that will take effect sometime in 2011 include:
- Implementation of the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP), which is a temporary program that allows uninsured people with pre-existing conditions to purchase health insurance. The PCIP program will be phased out in 2014 when the exchanges become operational and people can no longer be denied coverage on the basis of a pre-existing condition.
Implementation of rules that allow adult children up to age 26 to be covered under their parents’ health insurance policies
- Elimination of lifetime caps on health insurance policies
- Requirement that insurance policies, including Medicare, cover preventive services at no cost
- Development of rules requiring that most restaurants, other food outlets, and vending machines prominently display the calorie content of their meals or products. The proposed rules are currently open to public comment and will be finalized and implemented in 2012.
- Starting in 2011, a requirement that drug manufacturers provide a 50% discount on name-brand prescriptions filled during the “doughnut hole,” when individuals must pay for their prescriptions out of pocket. The doughnut hole will eventually be eliminated altogether.
Work Incentives and Benefits Planning Calendars
By Steve Curtis, Benefits Specialist Team Leader
Inspired by calendars produced by the Iowa Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG), Working Healthy has developed a Work Incentives calendar and a Benefits Planning calendar. Both calendars should be available in July. For the Work Incentives calendar, Working Healthy staff sent out requests through the disability networks asking artists with disabilities to donate and submit photos of their art for the calendar. Fifteen artists graciously submitted 74 works from which 19 were chosen. This 18 month calendar has art featured on the cover and each of the 18 months. Each month will have a description of a specific work incentive. Roger Steele with the Kansas Division of Printing developed three different calendar designs and we’ve chosen what we think is the best design for printing.
The Benefits Planning calendar will be a tool for consumers to use in helping them gather and report information to Social Security. Each month will have a pocket which can be used to collect pay stubs and work expense receipts. The calendar will be blank, so the consumer can start the calendar with the month they receive it. It will also have 18 months. There will be space each month to write in things that may need to be tracked. It should be easily individualized for each person’s circumstances. Consumers will be able to get these calendars at no cost through their Working Healthy Benefits Specialist or the Client Assistance Program. The Benefits Planning calendar is co-sponsored by the Kansas Client Assistance Program through the Disability Rights Center.
Focus on Medicaid Infrastructure Grant
Adults with developmental disabilities have limited opportunities to continue their education once they leave the school system. And rarely will they have the chance to participate in educational opportunities on a college campus. The two programs that are showcased in this newsletter were funded by the Kansas Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG), with the understanding that the programs will continue once MIG funding is no longer available.
Project EXCELL Thrives on KSU Campus
By Mike Bilderback, SPED Director Wamego Special Services Cooperative
A new and innovative program designed to provide adults with cognitive disabilities the opportunity to enjoy college campus life while attending functional academic, pre-vocational, and leisure skills classes has been a huge success on the Kansas State University (KSU) campus. Project EXCELL originated in order to create a unique setting, time of the week, and curriculum for students. Kansas State University, Manhattan, Student Union provided the unique setting, with classes on Saturday. The Kansas Medicaid Infrastructure Grant funded EXCELL for 2010- 2011 school year with the provision that other funding resources will be sought to continue the program.
Twenty-four students participated in the first semester of EXCELL with enrollment rising in the second semester to nearly 40 students. During year two of the program, steering committee members anticipate enrollment will reach 60 students. Classes are taught by Special Education teachers and para-educators from the area. University students serve as mentors to students and have had a tremendous impact on their achievement. Comments from class evaluations for the four sessions completed to date have been very positive. One student reported, “I love being a college student and experiencing college life.” A parent commented, “Thank you, my daughter was thrilled with the opportunity to attend K-State.” An ambassador said, “The friendships developed are unique and unforgettable.”
The steering committee consists of staff from six local school districts (Manhattan, Geary County, Salina, Clay Center, Marysville and Wamego), two CDDO’s (Big Lakes in Manhattan, and Washington and Marshall County), the Rehabilitation Services office within SRS in Manhattan, KSU Union and professors from the KSU Special Education Department. This collaborative effort has led to the development of two additional programs at KSU, Salina and KSU, Emporia.
Project EXCELL was awarded the University Professional and Continuing Education Association-Central Region award for the most Innovative Non-Credit Program. The program will now be considered for the national award in Innovative Non-Credit Program. Further, on April 25th, the program will be presented during a break-out session at this year’s Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) national convention in National Harbor, Maryland.
Young Adults with Disabilities Are "CLLICKING"
By Betty Amos, PhD, Executive Director of Special Education, Central KS Cooperative in Education
Young adults with disabilities, ages 18 and older, are “cllicking” at Kansas State University, Salina! They are enjoying the college experience at K-State, Salina, thanks to funding from the Working Healthy program. CLLICK (College and Lifelong Learning In Central Kansas) consist of classes that emphasize vocational skills and independent living activities. CLLICK is modeled after Project CLEAR at Johnson County Community College and Project EXCELL at Kansas State University in Manhattan.
During each session of five Saturday classes, young adults with disabilities attend a non-credit college class of their choice held at K-State, Salina. Peer ambassadors from the college accompany the students with disabilities to the classes and spend break time together socializing and learning from one another. The classes are taught by local educators who are experts in their fields.
The Central Kansas Cooperative in Education (CKCIE) in Salina applied for Medicaid Infrastructure Grant funding and work closely with area service providers, case managers, and CKCIE secondary special education teachers to spread information about this opportunity for students 18 and over with disabilities. K-State, Salina, has been integral to the success of the program, allowing classes to be held on campus free of charge and allowing K-State, Salina, students to serve as ambassadors and mentors to the students. Prior to January 2011, the Greater Salina Community Foundation provided funding for initial CLLICK planning. Kansas Rehabilitation Services (KRS) staff have participated on the steering committee that monitors and evaluates the program’s success. The CKCIE 18-21 Year Old Task Force, established in October 2008, oversees the CLLICK steering committee.
All evaluations and feedback from the young adults participating in CLLICK, the ambassadors, and teachers have been extremely positive. A graduation celebration will be held on May 7th following the end of the second session. Two sessions of classes are being planned for the Fall 2011 semester. Everyone involved in this project hopes that CLLICK will continue to click along for years to come and expand across Kansas. For further information, you may contact: Betty Amos by phone at 785-309-5100 or by email at Betty.Amos@usd305.com.
Working Healthy is published quarterly by the University of Kansas CRL, Division of Adult Studies and the Kansas Health Policy Authority. Additional copies and copies in alternate formats are available upon request by writing the University of Kansas Division of Adult Studies, Attn: Noelle, 1122 West Campus Rd.. JRP Hall Rm. 517, Lawrence, KS 66045, by phone 785-864-7085, by emailing: pixie@ku.edu
KU Research Team:
Jean P. Hall, Principal Investigator
Noelle K. Kurth, Senior Research
Emily Fall, Graduate Research Assistant
Carolisa Watson, Student Assistant
Kansas Health Policy Authority:
Mary Ellen O'Brien Wright, Senior Manager
Nancy Scott, WORK Program Manager
Steve Curtis, Benefits Specialist Team Leader