For people with disabilities who employ Personal Assistants there is cause for great concern. Recently, the Department of Labor issued new guidelines relative to overtime payment for Personal Assistants. While it does address the long-standing need for overtime payment, it also creates an opportunity for state Medicaid agencies to use it as an example of a "budget buster" and rein in spending in the program. This is often accomplished by putting a cap, or limit, on PCA hours or by requiring a greater number of Activities of Daily Living to become eligible as was already done by the Baker administration. If we don't organize a grassroots movement to keep all the gains we've made in the program, we may lose valuable long-term services and supports that keep us living in the community.
We have to work with the administration to make sure that we know what the state's plan is to support and implement these changes and whether any anticipated additional costs will be in the FY 17 budget. Once we know, we'll be ready for a plan of action.
Plans are actively underway to create a coalition of PAS users who will work with state officials and legislators to ensure that the MassHealth PCA program doesn't fall prey to cost-cutting by bureaucrats and legislators. Cutting costs parlays into a rollback in services and reduced availability. We will work with the existing PAS coalition and other groups to enhance our mutual goals. When we're together, we are stronger.
Don't Mourn, organize!