Just got this email concerning the medicaid fight for Rees. He has gotten his final denial and we've requested a fair hearing. Here is the email. Maybe all the prayers and PD are working! Please continue to pray that these new criteria will allow us to have Rees on this program for disabled children. Oh, and we weren't chosen for the PBS show, but it airs this week. Still great news!
Dearest Advocates:
1. GREAT NEWS........
Due to our advocacy efforts, WE have been heard! I have been told that our advocacy and on-going communication of concerns to the Katie Beckett Waiver denial situation has resulted in a lot of meetings taking place in the last two weeks between Dept of Community Health, Dept of Human Resources, Federal Medicaid, Legislators, Governor's office, etc.
At this point, this is what I know.......The Dept. of Community has made "some" changes to the eligibility criteria and more changes are pending in the next 2 weeks. (As soon as I get the final version of the criteria, I will send it out to you!).
(PER DCH) If you are in the process of being denied, requesting a fair hearing, etc......Try to stay in the "hopper" for as long as you can so your application will be reviewed with the new criteria. If you have received a final denial, you may want to wait to submit a new application until we get confirmation of when the new eligibility criteria will be fully implemented.
In addition, I have been told that the DCH/DHR is looking at other options for families that truly do not qualify for the Katie Beckett Waiver program (which may include the following: Buy-in "Peachcare" insurance program, create an insurance risk pool, new waiver and looking at increasing private insurance responsibility for Standards of Care for children in this State). Keep you posted as I have more information!
THIS IS VERY GOOD NEWS. I hope this shows you that our advocacy efforts paid off!!!....................UNITED....WE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
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2. I got confirmation today that Ga Public Broadcasting show the "Lawmakers" will air on Monday and Wedesday (February 6th and 8th) a news segment on the Katie Beckett Waiver! Lawmakers is on at 7:00pm (and is channel 8 of Comcast Cable, check your local listing for your channel). Many thanks to Matt Rasnick (reporter and father of a child that has the Katie Beckett Waiver), and the Prisock for allowing them into their home to video tape and interview.
This is amazing how much media coverage we are receiving on the issue. This truly does help us with our advocacy efforts. After the program airs, I'll let you know who we need to thank at Ga Public Broadcasting.
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to keep the good news coming!!!
With that many designs, you are definetly a DDA!
