Weekly Update - January 23, 2012

DPC ANNUAL MEETING

February 1, 2012

5:30 - 8:00 PM

150 Mt. Vernon Street

Dorchester MA

3rd. Floor         SEIU199

Please join the Board, staff and other members of the Disability Policy Consortium for our Annual Meeting and election of Directors.

Keynote speaker will be Christine Griffin, EOHHS Assistant Secretary for Disability Policy and Program. Many of us know Chris as the former director of the Disability Law Center where she played a vital role in establishing Olmstead Principles as  an important part of the lexicon of Massachusetts discussions.   

There will be a light dinner and time to socialize before the meeting.  Please RSVP to Colleen Graham at             617 542-3822       or cgraham@dpcma.org. 

Directions to 150 Mt. Vernon Street (same as MCDHH offices)  

Dear william,

The beat goes on!

This issue includes more editorial words of wisdom from John Winske.  Today, it is an unpublished Letter to the Globe on the MBTA fare increases.  Titled "An Excuse to Deceive", the editorial castigates the Patrick Administration for working on the both sides of transparency regarding changes in para-transit in Massachusetts.  See also the calendar entry on an advocacy meeting on  the subject.

John's entry doesn't mean that I didn't chime in this week.  The Commonwealth is looking to change Social Security Income payments in a manner that will certainly cause confusion among recipients and added work for advocates.  Look for "Short-Sighted Ideas (SSI)". 

We're also continuing with reader entries for our Advocates Corner with a question from Jackie Emmart, an ASL Interpreter.

Peace. 

Disability Policy Consortium

wfallan@dpcma.org|             617-542-3822      

Editorial:   An Excuse to Deceive   

January 12, 2012

Editor

Boston Globe

Boston MA 02125

Re: MBTA Fare Increases

Dear Editor:

When Governor Deval Patrick publishes his next book, it might be entitled "An Excuse to Deceive". While a vastly different title from his last tome "A Reason to Believe", we and other leaders of the disability community in Massachusetts feel this new title better describes the Governor's recent actions.

With fanfare last year, the Governor announced the formation of a Commission under Executive Order 530. This Commission was established to develop a series of recommendations to control the cost of providing "Paratransit" services for people with disabilities. We, along with many other organizations, fully bought into the process, developed and presented well researched and reasoned testimony. Indeed, more than 300 people participated in six hearings held across the Commonwealth.

The Disability Policy Consortium participated because we felt an obligation to ensure that valuable services such as "The RIDE" are maintained, and operated in a fiscally sound manner. We presented proposals such as using taxis, and encouraging people who were able to use public transportation such as buses and trains to use them. We recognize that with our aging population and medical advances many people will need these services to maintain their independence in the future.

What we did not know was that while one process was occurring in the public sphere with public participation, another discussion was occurring privately, deep in the offices of the Department of Transportation and the MBTA. This process, hidden from view, was occurring with several members of the 530 Commission partaking in both processes. Undoubtedly Richard Davey, Secretary and CEO of MassDOT, and Jonathon Davis, MBTA General Manager, were involved in both processes. In all twelve members of the Commission were members of the Patrick administration. Administration staff including , Ann Hartstein, Commissioner of Elder Affairs, Coleman Nee, Secretary of Veteran Services, JudyAnn Bigby M.D., Secretary, Health and Human Services and Ronald Marlow, Assistant Secretary of Administration/Finance for Access and Opportunity served on the Commission. One has to wonder if they were aware on the public deception.

While the 530 Commission report has not been released yet, the carnage being proposed by the secret group is the greatest attack on people with disabilities, seniors and the poor ever perpetrated by public officials in Massachusetts in recent memory.

We are being asked to choose between two plans both of which will permanently destroy public transportation in the Boston area. This plan is extremely regressive fiscally and heinous in the effect it will have on people who rely on public transportation. Fares will increase between 87% and 500% for seniors and persons with disabilities.

We are sad and outraged. Sad that we allowed ourselves to be duped by a Governor and an Administration that speaks eloquently of social justice, and outraged that they have chosen to adopt the secretive processes of Dick Cheney and the heartless policies of the Tea Party.

Respectfully

John E. Winske

Note: Mr. Winske is a past President of the Disability Policy Consortium and is currently; the Chair of the Legal Advocacy Committee.

Editorial:  Short-Sighted Ideas (SSI) 

The Patrick Administration is on the verge of implementing another Short-Sighted Idea in the name of saving money on Social Security Income. 

Effective April 1, 2012, the Commonwealth will take over the administration of the Massachusetts portion of SSI checks, known as SSI supplements. Many people on SSI don't even know that the Commonwealth adds a payment to the federal check since it comes packaged with the larger, Federal share.

The reason given is to save money on the overhead the Federal Government charges to process the state portion. To date, the Commonwealth has not provided any cost-benefit analysis showing projected savings.

This poses numerous problems for people on SSI and should make everyone skeptical about where the saving are coming from unless the Feds charge an exorbitant amount of money to process the state funds. The analysis should be made public.

There are anticipated costs that need to be quantified we assume were made including:   

• cost of processing checks

• cost of maintaining a hot line for additional calls from confused recipients  

Here are a couple of costs that never make whatever the cost-benefit analysis of the Patrick Administration:

• cost of confusion to the recipients when the first check or direct deposit to arrive is not the expected amount 

• cost of confusion to the recipients when the second check appears  

• cost to the case management, care takers, legal aid, and other agencies which will have to respond to calls from frightened and confused recipient.

This is another Short-Sighted Idea from the Patrick Administration that should not be allowed to go forward on April Fools Day.  

To make matters worse, it has been developed without including opinions of constituents or advocates. In fact, this decision is being discussed ONLY in private, invitation only meetings and on the web with a short lead time prior to the meeting.

Please contact me at wfallan@dpcma.org if you are interested in knowing where the meeting is.  

On the Calendar: MH Insurance Bill

PLEASE, YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED DISCRIMINATION OF MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITY OCCUPATIONAL COVERAGE & BANNING DISCRETIONARY CLAUSES in POLICIES

WHERE: STATE HOUSE, 24 BEACON STREET, BOSTON, MA ROOM 1-A

DATE:JANUARY 24, 2012 at 1 PM (ARRIVE 1 HR EARLY to sign up FOR TESTIMONY)

TOPIC:BILL H 1174 AN ACT REQUIRING MENTAL HEALTH PARITY FOR DISABILITY POLICIES FROM EMPLOYER (BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DISORDERS IN U.S. ARE LIMITED TO 12- 24 MONTH COVERAGE WHILE PHYSICAL CONDITIONS ARE UNLIMITED)

RESULT IN SUICIDES, BANKRUPTCY, HOMELESSNESS, LOSS of AUTOMOBILES, INABILITY TO PAY FOR NECESSARY TREATMENTS, THERAPY, & INCREASED INSTABILILTY of ILLNESS etc..

TOPIC: BILL H 02074 BANNING DISCRETIONARY CLAUSES OF LIFE INSURANCE, HEALTH INSURANCE, LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE, DISABILITY POLICIES THAT ALLOW INSURANCE COMPANIES TO WRITE A POLICY, DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY, INTERPRET THE POLICY WHICH LEADS TO A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN THE INSURANCE COMPANIES Financial FAVOR AND AGAINST THE INSURED.

WRITTEN TESTIMONY Submit written testimony the week or 2 prior to the hearing Clearly include BILL NUMBER H 1174 An act to provide parity for disability policies.  

Testimony can be addressed to both chairs with a copy going to each chair. Senator Anthony Petruccelli, Chair of Joint Committee on Financial Services , State House, Room 424, Boston, MA 02133 Representative Michael Costello, Chair Joint Committee on Financial Services, Room 254, Boston, MA 02133  

 Michael.Costello@MaHouse.gov

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION  MBTA REDLINE PARK STREET STATION, ORANGE LINE DOWNTOWN CROSSING, BLUE LINE GOVERNMENT CENTER, GREEN LINE PARK STREET

HANDICAPPED PARKING CALL COURTESY OFFICE             617-722-2500      , Wheel Chair accessible entrances Ashburton Park Entrance and Bowdoin Street Entrance

PARKING 2 hour Metered Parking on Beacon Street, Boston Common Garage             617-954-2096      , Charles Street Parking Garage 144 Charles Street 

On the Calendar: MBTA Fares

Mass Senior Action and the Disability Policy Consortium are hosting a meeting with advocates to discuss the proposed MBTA Fare increases and the impending changes to the eligibility process that includes a personal interview.  

January 27, 1:30 PM

Please RSVP to Bill Allan at wfallan@dpcma.org

to get information on location

On the Calendar: MBTA Fares 2/13 

Calendar:  Art Exhibition   

The Lenticular Image: Politics, Pop-Culture,and Popcorn
Jan. 25 - April 10

Art Gallery Exhibition
Fitchburg State University
Jan. 25 - April 10
Sanders Administration Building
Highland Avenue
Fitchburg, MA

Opening Reception and Gallery Talk with Richard Cutrona
Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 6:30 pm

Admission: Free
ASL interpreters will be provided for the gallery talk.

Stereoscopic and 3D images have been the subject of wonder and intrigue for centuries. From political-campaign buttons to Cracker Jack prizes, the lenticular image has been a fixture in American visual culture for generations.
Today, modern technology has made these techniques more accessible to the independent fine artist than ever before.
Using a combination of digital illustration and photomontage, Richard Cutrona creates digitally interlaced prints that are aligned and laminated to lenticular material.
The resulting images are an exploration of post-9/11 American media culture that address issues ranging from the war in Afghanistan to the environmental crisis in the Gulf of Mexico.

Confronting the Towers (Not a Memorial)
Lenticular panels and stainless steel sculpture.
In advent of The Lenticular Image exhibition Rich Cutrona and Kate Farrington installed the only known sculpture to combine lenticular images and stainless steel frames. This piece of public art will reside in the pedestrian plaza throughout the winter. The artists encourage viewers to share their comments and reactions to  centerstage@fitchburgstate.edu.  

News from the Net: FY13 Preview

Looking ahead to the fiscal challenges the Commonwealth faces in FY 2013, our Preview shows that the budget deficit will be well over $1 billion. That shortfall can be traced to three things:

• Tax Revenues have fallen sharply. Not just because of the Great Recession--which has reduced revenues since 2008--but also because of tax cuts and other declines in tax receipts over the last twenty years which are costing the state over $3 billion in annual revenue.
• The cost of government programs has grown. Overall inflation and health care cost growth both increase government spending. As does the current economic downturn--because more people rely on our social safety net.
• We have to address a $550 million deficit carried over from FY 2012. A series of temporary measures helped to fill the gap in this year's budget. As we move into FY13, that gap will return.

Our Preview evaluates each of these factors in greater detail. And it paints a very stark picture of the difficult choices ahead.