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Idaho’s Medicaid program is projecting a $42.3 million shortfall in the current year, in state general funds. Last year, the program pushed $89.4 million in bills into the current fiscal year – leaving providers waiting from three weeks to three months for payment – in order to balance next year’s budget. But if that were tried again, state Health & Welfare Director Dick Armstrong told legislative budget writers this morning, the delayed payments would then fall under the reduced federal matching rate that Idaho will see next year.
“That doesn’t mean it might not be a good strategy, but it has a significant cost attached to it that we didn’t face last year,” he told JFAC.
Looking ahead, Idaho’s facing a projected state fund shortfall for Medicaid in fiscal year 2012 of $171.6 million. That’s a huge hole, and Armstrong said it’ll likely mean cutting services. Children are protected, so “we would have to focus on adult services – that’s where we’d have to go. We would have to eliminate major categories of service.” Armstrong said “every state in the nation” is looking at the same “Draconian” type of cuts.
One suggestion he offered to cope with the crisis: Back in the ‘50s and ‘60s, there was much more use of volunteers in providing services to the disabled and others. Idaho could “see if there could be a resurgence of voluntary assistance, specifically around keeping adults stable in the home environment,” Armstrong said.
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TMcCafferty on November 16 at 4:13 p.m.
I respectfully disagree with H & W Director Dick Armstrong that “Children’s services are safe” The Children’s Redesign takes therapy away from many children and replaces it with glorified daycare. For the few left eligible for therapy the State has put a cap in place of how many can be served each year (finding staff who meet the new requirements in rural areas in adequate #’s is unlikely, and the new requirements double the cost of this therapy to tax payers). If the cap is hit a child must wait until their next birthday to see if space is available. In other States with similar systems some children wait years for service. Early intervention is critical for children; especially those with Autism to be able to integrate and succeed in society. Watch the movie “Temple Grandin”; she is now a Professor, but her Dr. wanted her institutionalized at the tender age of 6 because she had Autism, was aggressive, and non-verbal. Many cost saving ideas which do not hurt therapy services have been offered and rejected. Why? School services for this group of children are also being slashed; well at least the funding will be, but schools will still be required to provide therapy services. I wonder how they will be able to do that?
Thaw on November 16 at 4:33 p.m.
Does he have any idea what he is saying? H&W need to SECURE payments for the disabled programs. they need to look at other areas to cut…..here’s a thought….maybe we should cut some programs to the refugees and illegals? What is that to inhumane but its just dandy to cut the disabled? Why not , they can’t stand up for themselves and fight…….
Legislators Sit UP AND TAKE NOTICE…….YOu need to PROTECT and KEEP the programs for the VULNERABLE….they CAN’T take care of themselves. And if Mr. Armstrong really thinks people are going to Volunteer to take care of the disabled , which is ROUND THE CLOCK CARE, he is sadly mistaken….this is not the 50’s and 60’s……PROTECT the innocent. Look for cuts ELSEWERE!!!!
pakidaho on November 17 at 9:58 a.m.
My understanding is during the fifties and sixties, persons with disabilities and mental illness were living in state run institutions, not cared for by volunteers. Staff were paid and costs were very high then; imagine what they would be now days.
Taxpayers are being sold a one sided story filled with deception and bull. Legislators have told Health and welfare to work with providers to seek cost saving solutions to these current problems. Health and welfare would tell you that is what they did, however that is not the case.
These persons they are talking about, persons with disabilities and mental illness, are not Corky the movie star. Despite what the average person may think, these persons need supervision from people that know their job, will commit to twenty four/seven work hours and handle behaviors that range from self harm to sexual crimes that would curl your hair and at a cost that is no where close to federal minimum wage standards. The state has yet to reveal the money providers do save the state, and we do. Many of these persons have self harm issues that, without continuous supervision, would be making daily visits to emergency rooms. Jails and prisons would be much fuller without the services of providers, as persons with disabilities and mental illness do not always understand the consequences of their choices or play by society’s rules. They don’t get it, they are mentally ill and developmentally disabled.
If taxpayers think for one minute that volunteers are the way to go you better do some serious research. If you think the state is spending money now just wait. These uneducated solutions will cost taxpayers more than they can understand.
Since legislators, health and welfare and our governor is on the subject of volunteering maybe they could lead the charge and do the same. Lets all do our part here. Fact is the governor and legislators are going to be paid regardless of what havoc they wreak on Idaho.
Do the research, do not count on the word of a few people that have never been providers and have very little understanding of the nature of those who’s lives depend on them.
5dingaling on November 17 at 3:24 p.m.
If the Governor, all of the Department head would stop giving themselves a pay raise instead of cutting programs for the low income this problem would not be as bad as they claim! Stop filling the big wigs and the rich and start taking care of the low income people and the disabled-oh I forgot they can’t vote!
sjensen on November 17 at 6:06 p.m.
Hello, I care for my disabled 31 yr old brother in my home. He has no other place to go. He is mentally 6-8 yr old. We utilized JDSF during the day. He has social activities, he goes out into the community or even helps other disabled individuals with easy yard work. I have been a Certified Family Home for 3 years now, which I might add costs me every year to remain certified. Just the other day the furnace inspection cost me over $150.00. If the State of Idaho cuts these Adult Services where will my brother go? The Street? What will he do for food, water, shelter? He could go into a State Home, what a pleasant place for child minded adult who likes to ride his bike or go fishing. I have to work outside of the home to support my family. My brother is not able to be at home unsupervised. If I stop working we will all be in the Health and Welfare line as they say. We have no options for my brother, there are no VOLUNTEERS standing around to help. What would these volunteers do? Where would they come from? There are no VOLUNTEERS!
slfisher on November 17 at 6:43 p.m.
Actually, low-income people and the disabled can vote. And the Governor isn’t voting himself a pay raise; it’s a committee that determines pay rates for Constitutional officers and they aren’t allowed to refuse them.
(Not that I disagree with the rest of the posting.)
idaho8 on November 19 at 10:30 p.m.
As per Mr. Armstrong’s statement to look back to the fifties and sixties. I was there and most mentally ill were id in the home and not alloweed in the community. Is that what we want to go back to go back 50 0r 60 years and keep them locked up??? I don’t think so