Medicaid Cuts, Agency Mergers Cleared by Senate Panel, page 3

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ATS Members have flagged this thread 5 times

reply posted on 2-4-2011 @ 08:56 PM by ChrisCrikey

reply to post by MsAmen

Thanks. I appreciate your work and insights tremendously too. I used to work in vocational rehabilitation many years ago and at that time the rehab counselor working with DES and the federal money was in fact the case manager for the long haul whether the client's goal was employment or independent living, it was a much more organized and holistic approach in those days with a ton of accountability on the counselor as well as the service providers. Those service providers didn't just pop up overnight as LLCs with one MD overseeing and signing off on hundreds of behavioral health technicians and service plans.

reply posted on 2-4-2011 @ 09:12 PM by MsAmen

reply to post by ChrisCrikey

I had a reply earlier which encouraged me to seek self employment. Of course a provider number is required which at this point new numbers have been frozen pending the overhaul. I dont dissagree with some of the bills proposals to consolidate services. Working in the field you have to ask yourself " Why am I not doing that, it would be more cost effective and ensure quality controll?" Its the cut of behavioral focus and direct support which turns my stomach,not simply because its my job but because it saves lives. The cut of funding to the medically needy, such as the beautifull young woman who was raped so violently outside a library she is bound to a bed unable to so much as lift her neck, intake food, or talk. Her family was in the Tribune yesterday calling attention back to her case. She has relied upon the funds granted to disabled children. She will turn 21 and fall under the states new mandates. She will be forced to leave her home and be institutionalized for the remainder of her life.

reply posted on 2-4-2011 @ 10:43 PM by kinda kurious

reply to post by MsAmen

It is obvious you feel sincere empathy toward your fellow human beings and offer the rare gift of altruism. Please do not be discouraged by those who attempt to hijack your thread for political gain and detract you. They do not work in your field or share your compassion for helping the mentally or physically disadvantaged. They are armchair pundits who parrot partisan ignorance and spread disinfo under the guise of patriotism.

Your genuine desire to offer first person accounts of the implications of this proposed reform is a benefit to ATS community and I once again commend your bravery and thankless devotion to enhance the lives of others. As a stroke survivor I was significantly aided by a team of physical and occupational therapists in order to regain a productive career and life. Those whose lives have not been touched by the caring, patience and nurturing of people like yourself simply cannot understand the vital and relevant role you play by helping others.

Please continue the good fight and I encourage you to Never Give Up!

edit on 2-4-2011 by kinda kurious because: (no reason given)

reply posted on 2-4-2011 @ 10:59 PM by MsAmen

reply to post by kinda kurious

Thank you so much for your comments and support. I am incapable of relinquishing my purpose to this current regime of cruelty. I intend to fight the good fight by appreciating the love of my family, friends and all you fine folk who have helped me through this sad day. I will find a way to do what I love and what Im good at, making a small difference everyday. Blessings to you and yours.

reply posted on 2-4-2011 @ 11:14 PM by Rockerchic4God

reply to post by ChrisCrikey

I'm a mental health worker, and this issue is the one that keeps me awake at night. We currently have more people coming into the mental health system than we can handle - our crisis unit is stacked 5 or 6 deep any given 24 hours (with only two staff on duty, we are a very small county). The case management caseloads are burgeoning beyond manageability - and this is WITH medicaid (Medi-CAL in Calif.) still intact. However, we now have a cash-flow problem, because services we billed M/C for as far back as August 2010 still have not been paid to us by the state.

It's getting more and more difficult to help the mentally ill when the resources are drying up. God help us!

reply posted on 2-4-2011 @ 11:25 PM by kinda kurious

Originally posted by Rockerchic4God
It's getting more and more difficult to help the mentally ill when the resources are drying up. God help us!

And yet:

GOP Governors Propose Corporate Tax Breaks That Study Suggests Will Do Little For State Economic Growth

A slew of Republican governors, even as their states face deficits in the billions of dollars, have decided to propose new corporate tax breaks as a way to boost their state economies.

Terry Branstad (R-IA) wants to do away with universal kindergarten in order to finance corporate tax breaks,

Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ) has lined up corporate tax giveaways, while cutting education funding.

SOURCE

Can you say "Misplaced Priorities?"

reply posted on 3-4-2011 @ 05:29 AM by St Udio

Originally posted by MsAmen
reply

Job discription

?? an outgrowth of the BF Skinner 'Behavior Modification' model ??

Life Coach might also be an appropriate title...except that the economically disadvantaged cannot afford the services of said Life Coach

as i touched upon... when Obama Care comes into full play, vocations such as this 'Behavior Assistant' will go the way of the Air Traffic Controlers in the Reagan era... Poof, they're gone.

or when the mental wards were depopulated of the post-traumatic-stress sufferers from the Vietnam war
that were a major expense to the health system... they were made homeless enmasse, are you familiar with that episode in US history

thanks for your caring personna
edit on 3-4-2011 by St Udio because: (no reason given)

reply posted on 3-4-2011 @ 05:43 AM by woodwardjnr

I imagine Americans are going to see a lot more cuts to their social programs, I have advice for you though, just don't get sick or lose your job. Simple, as long as you avoid those 2 things you'll be fine. If your sick and out of work, well I suggest you put your faith in the good Lord.

reply posted on 3-4-2011 @ 07:23 AM by kinda kurious

reply to post by St Udio

Originally posted by St Udio
... when Obama Care comes into full play, vocations such as this 'Behavior Assistant' will go the way of the Air Traffic Controlers in the Reagan era... Poof, they're gone.

FOR SAKE OF CLARITY: (FACT CHECK)

A large group (approx 11,000) of Air Traffic Controllers belonging to PATCO (Professional Air Traffic Controller Organization) were FIRED by President Reagan when they went on strike which violated laws prohibiting government workers to do so. Reagan deemed the strike a threat to national safety and all striking members were summarily terminated and union disbanded. I know because my late father worked for FAA as a Civil Service Supervisor and WAS NOT a union member. He worked two shifts (one shift is highly stressful and was part of reason for strike to reduce work week) for months until replacements were found.

I am providing this elucidation to show your comparison is "Apples" to "Oranges" and for setting record straight. The OP and others like her ARE NOT threatening a strike so please don't cast a negative pall on their plight by likening the two. Not sure if the aspersion was mud slinging or lack of grasping history.

Inasmuch as you might be thinking their careers are in peril, their paths ARE NOT the same. In short: poor analogy. Are you CLEAR on that now? BTW AIR Traffic Controllers DO exist today and are members of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) as part of AFL-CIO.

Sorry, I'm an infovore.

edit on 3-4-2011 by kinda kurious because: (no reason given)

reply posted on 3-4-2011 @ 09:06 PM by MsAmen

reply to post by St Udio

Funny you mention the life coach position as according to the legislation, 4 separate care positions will be combined into one service entitled Life skills coach. I genuinely conquer with this measure. I’ve never stated the system was perfect. Combining these services (which was an APD suggestion already under way before cuts were made) will promote quality care. Jobs will not be affected as all who hold any one of these positions are capable of performing all services simultaneously.

My job, however does not pertain to care or skill building but rather the manipulation of an individuals environment and maladaptive response. I am more of a hands on, day to day counselor. I am responsible for training all staff or family associated with the individual’s environment. I manage violent developmentally disabled individuals who routinely harm themselves or others.

I am familiar with our shameful decision to abandon our soldiers suffering PTSDs both then and since. It is sad to say that I fear similar repercussions will befall the developmentally disabled. This legislation will push the lowest functioning out of group or family homes and back into state institutions. Too many high functioning violent offenders will fall through the cracks and remain free to roam.

reply posted on 3-4-2011 @ 09:27 PM by MsAmen

reply to post by kinda kurious

I too am a hound for facts.

I’ve spent my free time going through the legislation page by page cut by cut, with the mother of the individual I provide services for. She is unfortunately in denial. I and the PCA had to physically restrain him 4 times today which isn’t easy. He's 24, autistic, non verbal, and stands 6ft at 280lbs. Group homes have turned him away and after these cuts have taken full affect no PCA will take his case, including his current staff. Where will he go?

There are no state institutions ( at the moment ) to imprison with meds and a straight jacket. I fear her and her aged mother are in for a shock. The Baker Act has been altered to bar the developmentally delayed from hospitalization. She will most likely need to call the police to restrain him once the sh## hits the fan. What will they do, answer the door, taze him and walk away?

I think instead she should drive him to Rick Scotts residence, give him what he wants ( a pen ) and tell him to go to work. A pen in this man’s hand is nothing pretty.

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