New Horizons Un-Limited Inc. New Horizons Un-Limited Inc.The therapeutic horseback riding program in Menomonee Falls for disabled kids and adults has closed this fall. The program was part of the Ranch Community Services which were acquired this past year by Curative Care Network, a non-profit organization that provides rehabilitation, residential and day-service opportunities for people with disabilities in four counties. People with disabilities such as down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism and speech disorders had used the program. Therapeutic horseback riding is very beneficial in exercise and socialization for people with disabilities. This program was very beneficial to people with Southeastern Wisconsin and it will be grealy missed. To find other therapeutic horseback riding programs in Southeastern Wisconsin, click on the following North American Riding for the Handicapped Association Inc.
Wisconsin received a federal grant for the Department of Public Instruction to create the Wisconsin Professional Development System to contribute to improved academic, social and transition results for childrren and young adults with disabilities from birth to age 26. Wisconsin is amoung 24 states receiving this grant from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs. For more information, see the link above.
Over the past 2 years, the State of Wisconsin has been enrolling SSI beneficiaries into Managed Care Organizations (MCO). While beneficiaries are still on Title 19 (Medicaid), they must go through Managed Care to receive medical care. In response to Medicaid consumer's concerns about navigating the new Managed Care system, the SSI Managed Care External Advocacy Project was created. The project is dsigned to assist with such issues as continuity of care, prior authorizations, service terminations, specialty care referrals, and language and transportation issues, among other issues. Advocates will assist the enrollee in communicating with the MCO, will explain MCO and state decisions, file complaints/grievances on behalf of the enrollee and provide representation at hearings, as needed. If you feel you would benefit from this service, contact the Advocacy Project at (414) 773-4646 or toll free at (800) 708-3034. Ask for Julie at extension 11 or Tracy at extension 23.
In June 2007, the Wisconsin state Senate approved a health reform initiative known as Healthy Wisconsin. The new “Healthy Wisconsin: Your Choice, Your Plan” covers all those not covered by public programs like Medicare, Badger Care or Medicaid. Under the plan, state residents will have a choice of doctors and plans with the same benefit package as state legislators. Premiums are paid through payroll deductions. To guarantee fairness, and affordability for everyone, the amount of the premium is based on how much people earn.
To learn more about how the Healthy Wisconsin plan could ensure your health care coverage, read the One Wisconsin Now report Healthy Wisconsin: Your Choice, Your Plan - Summary of Health Care Plan.
Family Care, Wisconsin's popular program that offers seniors home care and independent living services, could expand to younger, low-income Milwaukee County residents with disabilities as early as 2008. As many as 2300 low-income residents with disabilities aged 60 or younger could move off of waiting lists and receive the services they need to remain independent in the community. Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker is pushing for the expansion with the idea that it will not only give more residents what they desire, but will also save the county money. If all goes as planned it is expected that people will start to move off of the waiting lists by mid-2008.
The Milwaukee County expansion would be part of Governor Jim Doyle's larger, 5-county expansion proposed for the 2007-09 State Budget Plan. This plan is currently under review by the Legislature. As this program is funded with federal Medicaid dollars, local tax dollars would not be required for the expansion.
For more on this proposed expansion or to add your ideas, visit the Milwaukee County Planning Council online at www.planningcouncil.org/longtermcare.
Earlier this year the Bush Administration denied Governor Doyle’s request to continue SeniorCare, Wisconsin’s successful prescription drug program for seniors. To replace this program, Governor Doyle will introduce WisconsinCare in January 2008. WisconsinCare goes one step further by offering younger individuals with disabilities access to affordable prescription drugs. This new program will eliminate the need for the complicated Federal Medicate Part D program. WisconsinCare uses a one-page application form and provides seniors and people with disabiliteis with co-payments as low as $2 a prescription drug without any annual enrollment fee. To learn if you are eligible to participate, call 1-800-657-2038.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the first recipients of Money Follows the Person (MFP) Rebalancing Demonstration Grants to transition people from nursing facilities and into the community. Wisconsin is among the first 17 states whose proposals were approved for matching funds to help move people out of nursing homes. CMS awarded Wisconsin $56 million in federal matching funds over the next five years. These funds will make it possible for 250 additional people every year to move from institutions into the community. To learn more about this grant and the possibility of moving out of an institution, contact your local Center for Independent Living.
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