Nation Association of Physically Handicapped - COMMUNITY CHOICE ACT (H.R. 1621 AND S 799)

brenda writes "Our most important legislation this year has been and continues to be the Community Choice Act of 2007. Below I have summarized both the House bill (H.R.1621) and the Senate bill (S799). Please write to your representatives and senators and the subcommittees to which the bills have been referred. Even if you have written before, please do so again. If you have read your NNN you know how important these bills are to all of us to keep us out of nursing homes and in our own homes and also to help individuals who want to get out of nursing homes. For more information on this topic visit: www.adapt.org. ADAPT sponsored a Forum on Disability Rights in Housing in Chicago on Sept. 9, 2007 so they will probably have updates on their web site about this topic shortly.

H.R.1621
Title: To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide individuals with disabilities and older Americans with equal access to community-based attendant services and supports, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Davis, Danny K. [IL-7] (introduced 3/21/2007)      Cosponsors (32)
Related Bills: S.799
Latest Major Action: 3/22/2007 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
SUMMARY AS OF:
3/21/2007--Introduced.
Community Choice Act of 2007 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require state Medicaid plan coverage of community-based attendant services and supports for certain Medicaid-eligible individuals.
Outlines requirements for: (1) an enhanced federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for ongoing activities of early coverage states that enhance and promote the use of community-based attendant services and supports; and (2) increased federal financial participation for certain expenditures incurred by the state for the provision of such services and supports.
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) award grants to eligible states which have established a Consumer Task Force to assist the state in its development of real choice systems change initiatives; and (2) conduct a demonstration project for the purpose of evaluating service coordination and cost-sharing approaches with respect to the provision of community-based services and supports to dually eligible individuals.
Community Choice Act (S. 799): A Summary
The Community Choice Act gives people real choice in long term care options by reforming Title XIX of the Social Security Act (Medicaid) by ending the institutional bias. The Community Choice Act allows individuals eligible for Nursing Facility Services or Intermediate Care Facility Services for the Mentally Retarded (ICF-MR) the opportunity to choose instead a new alternative, "Community-based Attendant Services and Supports". The money follows the individual! In addition, by providing an enhanced match and grants for the transition to Real Choice before October 2011 when the benefit becomes permanent, the Community Choice Act offers states financial assistance to reform their long term service and support system to provide services in the most integrated setting.

S.799
Title: A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide individuals with disabilities and older Americans with equal access to community-based attendant services and supports, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Harkin, Tom [IA] (introduced 3/7/2007)      Cosponsors (16)
Related Bills: H.R.1621
Latest Major Action: 7/10/2007 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.
SUMMARY:
3/7/2007--Introduced.

Community Choice Act of 2007 (wording is the same as H.R.1621 above).

Submitted by Brenda Smith, Legislation Chairperson
A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide individuals with disabilities and older Americans with equal access to community-based attendant services and supports, and for other purposes. [IA] (introduced 3/7/2007)       (16) 7/10/2007 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held. 3/7/2007--Introduced.
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