Your Advocacy for People with Disabilities is Needed
There are many gaps and needs in the support system for people with disabilities
At this time of year, it is of critical importance that we advocate for adequate supports in the Wisconsin budget process. This year, the most critical issue is additional funding for direct care workers.
The below link is the position of the four leading representatives of service providers does a great job of outlining the issues and also linked are talking points for communication to legislators. Please feel free to share it with your correspondence to legislators.
2019 - 2021 Biennial Budget Request DSPN
Sample email correspondence for 2019 budget
REQUEST: Add $61.7 million, or 00.15% of the budget, in General Purpose Revenue (GPR) in the 2019 biennial budget to be allocated directly to care and service providers of Family Care services. This amount would build on the direct care workforce funding provided in the last budget that should be included in the base 2019-21 budget.
Other facts:
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Aptiv experienced reductions or no more than 5% increases in total in the last TEN (10) years for reimbursable rates for services. Local hospitals have celebrated holding health rate increases to less than 3% THIS YEAR.
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Since reimbursable rates for services have stagnated, Aptiv has been forced to discontinue services like supportive home care and delay providing badly needed services to people with disabilities until staff can be found.
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Aptiv has lost trained and experienced staff to Managed Care Organizations (MCO) that can afford to pay at a higher rate of pay. This new money must be earmarked for providers of services.
Your advocacy is critical during the State budget process. Please write or call your representatives now to advocate for the recommended level of funding in the budget. You can locate your legislator and their contact information at this link. A template for your email or letter is attached