Despite our and your best efforts to stop budget cuts to vital programs during the past year, and during the special legislative session in November 2017, many budget reductions were implemented and will go into effect starting in January 2018. While we were successful in helping to save or lessen the impact on some programs from the proposed budget reductions, many of the budget reductions that will be implemented will make it harder for individuals with disabilities to receive adequate services. Some of the budget reductions that will be implemented include:
Community First Choice: meal preparation limited to 5 hours/week, exercise limited to 30 minutes/day, IADL’s limited to 3 hours/week, nonmedical transportation limited to 25 miles/week
Big Sky Waiver: social supervision hours limited to 10 hours/week, nonmedical transportation limited to 25 miles/week
Medicaid Rate Reduction: 2.99% provider rate reductions (this reduction will move forward after the Legislative Interim Committee on Children and Family Services lifted its objection)
Extended Employment: a $570,000 reduction
Medicaid Dental Services: a $7 million reduction
A $4 million reduction to Medicaid targeted case management for individuals with developmental disabilities
A $4 million rate reduction for incontinence supplies and durable medical equipment
A $500,000 reduction to Medicaid mental health outpatient therapy
An $8.5 million reduction to targeted case management services for adults with severe disabling mental illness
These are just some of the reductions that will be being implemented starting in January 2008 that will make it harder for individuals with disabilities to get the services they need to remain living as independently as possible in their own communities. As we prepare for the 2019 legislative session we will need all hands on deck to try to restore this funding and ensure our tax dollars are helping, not hurting, all Montanans.
