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Family Opportunity Act
 

 

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 The Family Opportunity Act of 2005
(Dylan Lee James Act)
S. 183

VOR is pleased to offer its support for S. 183, the Family Opportunity Act of 2005 (a/k/a Dylan Lee James Act), introduced by Senators Charles Grassley and Edward Kennedy.

Senator Grassley has correctly noted that, "Because Medicaid, our nation's health care program for low-income individuals, offers the type of comprehensive care that best meets the needs of children with disabilities, it can become a lifeline on which many parents depend."

Currently, too many families must stay impoverished, become impoverished, or unwillingly give up custody of their children with disabilities in order to secure health care services under Medicaid for their family members with disabilities. The Family Opportunity Act addresses this concern by allowing states to offer Medicaid coverage to children with severe disabilities living in middle-income families through a buy-in program. Cost-sharing up to the full premium cost may be required within certain guidelines that protect lower income families.

In addition, the Family Opportunity Act proposes the following:

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A time-limited demonstration program that would allow states to extend Medicaid coverage to children with potentially severe disabilities, who, without access to the health care services available through Medicaid, can reasonably be expected to become severe enough to qualify them for SSI.

 

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A state option to include children eligible for hospital psychiatric services to receive services in home and community-based waiver settings. In response to concerns regarding the safety of vulnerable people with mental retardation, VOR was assured by Senate staff that existing regulations would prevent the placement of people with mental illnesses in residential settings serving people with mental retardation.

 

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Family-to-Family Health Information Centers, staffed by both parents of children with special needs and professional, to provide technical assistance and information to families on various health care programs and services available and appropriate for people with special needs. VOR further supports Internet-available resources and assurances that staff and volunteers at the Health Information Centers offer information about a complete array of residential options (including ICFs/MR) and other supports to all families of individuals with mental retardation.

 

VOR supports this forward-thinking legislation.

 

VOR * 836 S. Arlington Heights Rd., #351 * Elk Grove Village, Illinois * 60007

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