In September 2014, Federal law changed behavior services coverage for individuals diagnosed with autism. Now Medicaid/Medi-Cal are required to make this treatment a covered benefit for individuals with a diagnosis of autism who are under age 21. You will receive information from NBRC and Partnership Health Plan regarding this change, which will begin on February 1st, 2015; please see informational flyers below:
Disability Thrive Initiative
ABLE Accounts May Be Available Sooner Than Expected
January 17, 2016 by
A tweak to federal law is poised to greatly expand choice and speed up availability of accounts allowing people with disabilities to save money without risking their government benefits. Tucked inside a tax bill approved by lawmakers last month is a provision that will permit individuals with disabilities to open new accounts established under the Achieving a Better Life Experience, or ABLE, Act in any state, regardless of where they reside.
The change means that people with disabilities across the country will be able to open ABLE accounts when the first state programs are up and running which could happen as soon as February or March, advocates say. Read more.
Drug Pricing Bill Can’t Pass Committee
January 17, 2016 by
The debate over high-priced specialty drugs came to an abrupt end on Tuesday in the California Legislature when a bill to make drug pricing more transparent was withdrawn from the Assembly Committee on Health by its author.
“I am going to be pulling this bill,” said Assembly member David Chiu (D-San Francisco) as he was called upon to introduce AB 463, which would have required drug companies to issue a report on the cost of any drug in excess of $10,000 a year. Read more.
It’s Time to Keep the Lanterman Promise
January 17, 2016 by
Growing up, parents teach their children at a very young age the importance of keeping a promise. As elected representatives in the California State Assembly, we wish that were the case in Sacramento.
Over 50 years ago, the state of California made a promise to individuals with developmental disabilities that would provide funding for community-based programs allowing them to stay in their homes instead of being institutionalized. Read more.
Some districts exempt students in special ed from vaccination law
January 11, 2016 by
California now has one of the strictest vaccination laws in the country, but ambiguity in its wording has left school districts deciding on their own whether to grant special education students a de facto exemption.
The California Department of Public Health and the California Department of Education have not yet issued guidance on how to apply the vaccination law to special education students. Read more.
Highlights of Gov. Jerry Brown’s Plan
January 11, 2016 by
With the new year comes new budget proposals. While the Lanterman Coalition continues to highlight the need for increased funding for the developmental services system, Gov. Brown’s budget offers little relief. Read more her for Highlights.
Minimum Wage Adjustments
January 11, 2016 by
Minimum Wage Increase Rate Adjustment Request, January 1, 2016
Due to the passage of AB 10, minimum wage is increasing from $9.00 to $10.00 dollars per hour on January 1, 2016.
In order to help NBRC document this process for granting a rate adjustment, vendors must complete a rate calculation worksheet for each applicable vendor number and rate. Read more.
