Disability Thrive Initiative

The seeming reluctance by state officials to closely monitor Medi-Cal managed care plans is troubling, said Gerald Kominski, director of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. Read more.

Mercury News

Here are some questions and answers about the controversial vaccine law that Gov. Jerry Brown signed on Tuesday: California’s New Vaccine Law-QA

For further analysis, read here.

The Sonoma Developmental Center received a rare bit of good news this week. On July 1, the state Department of Developmental Services announced that Medicare funding from the federal government – revoked in late 2014 when several residential units at SDC were found to be in violation of federal standards and requirements – had been re-instated through June 30, 2016, with the possibility of further extensions until the facility closes at the end of 2018. Read more.

State senators who will serve on a special session to discuss additional funding for services for those with developmental disabilities have been chosen, but it’s uncertain when the committee will convene.

Senate President pro Tem Kevin de León has announced that Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina, Mike Morrell, R-Rancho Cucamonga, and Holly Mitchell, D-Los Angeles, and 10 others will be part of the public health and developmental services committee.

California’s new budget included no extra funds for programs for those with developmental disabilities, but Gov. Jerry Brown called for a special session to discuss options on how the state could raise that money. Read more.

Six months after a federal law paved the way for tax-free savings accounts for people with disabilities, officials are providing details on how they expect the new program to operate.

In a proposed rule issued Monday, the Internal Revenue Service unveiled guidelines for the Achieving a Better Life Experience, or ABLE, Act. The federal law is designed to allow people with disabilities to save money without risking their government benefits. Read more.

Gov. Brown will convene a ‘special session’ next week to deal with the developmental disabilities budget needs and the lack of funding allocated for community service needs recommended by the state legislature.  To take action and Read more, click  here; see recent rallies occurring throughout the state here.

One day after state lawmakers passed a budget that did not reflect agreement with Gov. Jerry Brown, legislative leaders on Tuesday abandoned significant parts of their proposal and announced a deal with the governor. The accord includes slightly more spending on education and social service programs than Brown originally proposed – but significantly less than Democratic lawmakers sought.