Bush plans to cut school buses for disabled children

[deminks]

http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/392663.html

The Bush Administration plans to stop reimbursing states for school-based Medicaid activities, including transporting disabled students, a move that would cost California schools more than $100 million a year.

Districts are scrambling to figure out how to pay the bill because federal law requires schools to provide special services for disabled students.

"If the money stops, districts are going to have to find the money somewhere else in their budgets," said Suzi Rader, director of district and financial services for the California School Boards Association.

Public comments on the rule change, published Sept. 7 in the Federal Register, are due by Nov. 7. The cuts will take effect by the 2008-09 school year unless the administration changes its mind -- which is unlikely based on the administration's record.

(end snip)

So, let me get this straight - Rethuglicans don't what poor children to have health care, and don't want disabled children to have transportation.

And they call themselves human beings. I don't think so.

[frogcycle]

1. but they condemned Moveon's ad !

how can you criticise this upstanding group of gentlemen?

[Cha]

2. Wants to throw the money down

Iraq's hole..When people start feeling it personally..that's when the majority are going to think "kiss-ass betrayus" is moving too slowly.

[PA Democrat]

3. This will cause a lot of pain in my state.

PA uses a lot of Medicaid money for services for school kids with disabilities including speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral support services. About half comes from the federal government with the rest coming from the state. Under the Katy Beckett waiver, kids with disabilities qualify for Medicaid regardless of parental income if the child is at risk for out of home placement. A diagnosis of autism automatically qualifies kids in PA for Medicaid.

It has been a godsend for many families because I don't know of a single insurance company that does not write an exclusion clause into policies for almost all treatment for autism.

School districts will have a hard time coming up with the money to make up for the shortfall in funding.

Bush doesn't give a damn about disabled kids or any of the "least among us". May he rot in hell.

[MissB]

4. Not surprising at all.

One of the former Republican candidates for statewide office here made some statements in his last attempt at office that could be boiled down to "fuck the disabled kids".

Compassion isn't the Republicans' strong point.

[PA Democrat]

7. A staffer in John Boehner's office once told me

"You parents should be grateful for what the taxpayers give your kids out of the goodness of their hearts." I've been doing advocacy for the disabled for more than 12 years and I'd never heard that type of attitude before, even with Republicans. Seems it's OK to turn your back on the disabled under the good "Christian" Bush administration.

[PDenton]

54. It's not even a question of "goodness of their hearts"

It's a question of human capital. Republicans honestly would be fine with people with able minds being crippled just because of their physical condition. This is scary stuff. They want a productive soceity, well, disabled services is part of the infrastructure that you need to get there.

But then I've noticed in alot of Republican-dominated areas, they tend to let the roads go to crap too. So why be surprised?

[Horse with no Name]

60. You are a little bit wrong

Corporate compassion is their strong suit.

[hootinholler]

5. No left behind jokes yet?

You're slipping DU!

-Hoot

[Swamp Rat]

10. Ok, here ya go:

:D

[HughMoran]

6. Vote Republican y'all white men & their subservient wives! Fug the blacks, kids, hispanics

Unbelievable - the selfish misogynist xenophobic bigot party strikes again :eyes:

[rucky]

8. A society is judged by how it cares for its most vulnerable.

i can't help but feel personally ashamed.

[PA Democrat]

12. I'm crying.

I know how much some of these kids desperately need these services.

[derby378]

35. Man, you are so far behind the curve...

Or at least that's what the Bush administration would tell you. To wit:

In the summer of 2002, after I had written an article in Esquire that the White House didn't like about Bush's former communications director, Karen Hughes, I had a meeting with a senior adviser to Bush. He expressed the White House's displeasure, and then he told me something that at the time I didn't fully comprehend -- but which I now believe gets to the very heart of the Bush presidency.

The aide said that guys like me were "in what we call the reality-based community," which he defined as people who "believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality." I nodded and murmured something about enlightenment principles and empiricism. He cut me off. "That's not the way the world really works anymore," he continued. "We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality -- judiciously, as you will -- we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors . . . and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do."

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/17/magazine/17BUSH.html?ex=1255665600en=890a96189e162076ei=5090

Silly liberals... :silly:

:sarcasm:

[ThomCat]

9. This will just drive the poor districts further down

and widen the gap between rich and poor districts. Of course, that's probably one of the benefits they are anticipating from a cruel move like this.
x(

[rucky]

14. It will also de-fund Title 20

which is paid per student and by attendance.

no bussing, no attendance. no attendance, no Title 20 money.

[Bitwit1234]

11. Why isn't this country up in arms with this monster.

I can not believe that the media and the rest of the country are not complaining. But then he has to send all the money to Iraq. His family,friends and corporation buddies haven't got enough money yet. The S.O.B.'s want more more more.

[rucky]

16. I think this may be the most cruel thing he's done.

and he's done alot of cruel.

[BrklynLiberal]

13. Social Darwinism at its best....

:puke:

I just hope that the karma these schmucks deserve catches up with them while I am still alive to witness their suffering.

[peacetalksforall]

15. One can only hope that a loyal king george follower who has a

disabled child will wake up one tiny bit and not find excuses for him or his administration. They have to pay for their mistakes and for more cover-up. They need money? Or they have to add to their riches.

How much money is it going to total when we someday find out how much has been diverted, stolen, lost, laundered, outsourced, and profilerated by law changes that release corporations from accountability?

We're not dealing with christians or the human species here. WJ should be interesting if they do talk about it.

[ismnotwasm]

17. Of course he is

Can let a chance go by to fuck things up worse, or increase human suffering can he? No he can't. I think he LOOKS for things like this.

[earth mom]

48. There is NO doubt * gets pleasure from other peoples pain.

:puke:

[Goblinmonger]

18. No Child Left Behind

except those retarded ones.

my use of "retarded" is intended to be a satirical take on Bush and does not reflect my actual views or language usage.

[file83]

66. No "Short Bus" for YOU!!

[PA Democrat]

19. I guess this was released late on a Friday afternoon.

Bush announces his plans to dump kids with disabilities during the Friday afternoon news dump.

I am looking for a full description of what services besides transportation he wants to cut. That alone is bad enough, but it could be devastating if it includes therapies.

[rucky]

20. See my post up-thread about Title 20. n/t

[PA Democrat]

23. Wow. It starts to look a very well-planned conspiracy to destroy public schools.

I sent this out to our local autism group. I haven't seen any coverage of this yet on all of the different autism and special ed listservs I am on. I'll send this out to a bunch of groups tomorrow. This is just twisted.

[Deja Q]

24. For the sake of private schools?

Or for the sake of giving more corporations large tax breaks for offshoring jobs to countries that currently can't do much of anything correctly...

I sure as hell don't know what to think anymore.

If government is supposed to govern, why say one thing then not follow through with it? Or is "No child left behind" actually meaning "Leave them all behind"?! :wow:

Sad.

I'd say, live closer to the schools. Walking is good exercise and if the cops keep the pedophiles and other nasty people locked up, so much the better. (no point in being negative on everything; it's just as much possible all this is due to peak oil and people should be walking more anyway. My parents had to as children. So for many other people 2 or more generations ago. Obviously, for now on, when I post a negative comment, I'm also going to post a positive one to show multiple perspectives and why thinking negative doesn't do anybody any good.)

[PA Democrat]

33. A lot of the kids who rely on this funding are in wheelchairs.

BTW, did you see the school Bush visited in New orleans last month? It was a charter school. Many of the public schools are not being reopened or are being converted to charter schools. I think it's all part of his plan to break up teachers' unions and privatize schools.

[pop goes the weasel]

37. wha...?

I must assume you are tongue in cheek with your comment about living closer to the schools so the students can walk. We are talking about the disabled kids. At least where I live, the disabled kids from three rural counties are all sent to the one school that has a full time nurse, and even the nondisabled kids mostly ride buses--such is rural life. No bus means no school.

[colinmom71]

44. Yep, and I'm from a rather largely populated school system...

Clearly the following though is not a viable option for rural districts. It's part of the reason we jumped at the opportunity to leave our prior home in a small city in south Georgia to a new home and life in suburban Atlanta.

Our county is the second largest school system in the state and it saves a darn good amount of money on Special Ed funding by consolidating resources within each district by using coordinated busing between school zones. Essentially, they group each school's zone within a district as providing services according to a specific disability type classroom (i.e. - one school has deaf services, another blind/low vision services, another has profoundly mentally disabled students, etc.). One or two schools within a district may "double up" and have more than one devoted classroom on campus, but the busing is still coordinated to this separated school strata. It really helps save funds by reducing redundant services within one or two closely located school zones, even if it does mean a wee bit more costs in transportation (though that is nowhere nearly as costly as redundant services within each school district...

While our neighborhood has a local elementary school centrally located in the subdivision, my son has always attended a different school because the neighborhood school is designated to provide only Blind/Low Vision Services and/or Moderate Intellectual Disabilities (mild autism or moderate impairment of speech/learning comprehension). Unfortunately, my son is severely and multiply handicapped (due to premature birth) and requires a Severe to Profound Intellectually Disabled designated classroom, which has been housed in other schools in our district. He receives bus transportation because he's also orthopedically impaired and uses a wheelchair for some of his ambulation.

And believe me, without that transportation, I would have even far more trouble with severe neck and back pain than I already have had till now, had I been required to take Colin back and forth to school by car (which means break down heavy wheelchair, struggle to get kid in car seat, drive in crappy suburban ATL traffic, reconstruct wheelchair, get 75-80 pound kid out of car and into wheelchair, get heavy wheelchair and kid into school - usually through line of irate morning parents since handicapped parking sucks even in school parking lots ... Then reverse said process in the afternoons...). I avoid going to chiropractors and doctors simply because I don't want to hear that I need the same spinal surgery my dad had to have at age 50 for the same symptoms I have now in my mid-30's. I just can't take that amount of time off for medical recovery and take care of my son's intensive needs. So yeah, Special Ed transport benefits the kids since it's safer for them, and it's better for the parents since they don't suffer as much ill health effects and pain from being their child's main transport to the school that gives them the benefits they need simply to accomplish as much as their limited abilities allow....

[rucky]

61. Will Medicaid pay for a lift gate?

sounds like it could save your back.

[pop goes the weasel]

70. bwahahahaha!

The Medicaid/Medicare rules on wheelchairs and things related to wheelchairs boil down to "You can only have it if you promise never to leave your house, and it can be used in your house." Clearly, a lift would indicate that the wheelchair user has the audacity to appear in public, just like a real human being. People who depend on wheelchairs have to do an elaborate song and dance (quite the performance from a sitting position!) in order to get mobility equipment and the accessories that go with it.

[colinmom71]

71. We've debated for years on whether to get a van...

That's handicapped equipped. Part of it has been not wanting to have a large monthly car payment. But a bigger part has to do with my discomfort with the tie-down restraints in passenger vans for wheelchairs. I've always had issues with child safety seats and with a wheelchair equipped van, I'd still have to transfer him from his wheelchair into his car seat. So, I'd still have been lifting him about. Luckily, we're just getting to where he's getting big enough to start riding without his booster seat (he just turned 12) and it's very easy to transfer him from the wheelchair into the back seat of our station wagon without the booster. He can help by standing and sitting this way. So it's now no longer so much of an issue for us as it was back when he first started school.

Had we bought a van, there are assistance programs to help pay for portions of the costs to adapt a car or van. I believe Chrysler and Ford both offer about $1000 towards adaptations to their vehicles for the disabled. But as far as I know, Medicaid does not cover any costs associated with vehicles adapted for the disabled, but they do cover car seats for kids with special needs if the pediatrician and physical therapists feel the need to prescribe it for proper positioning (like kids with body casts or kids with severe postural problems, etc.).

We were just very hesitant to get a van. The cost aside (brand new adapted mini-vans start at about $35K), I just don't generally like driving very large vehicles. My station wagon has worked very well for us with the kid so far and when it finally wears out, we'll likely get another wagon to replace it.

We've been using bus transport to school since he was in first grade and our school has never had access to his Medicaid number to file for transport or therapies. Bush's measure here shouldn't effect our situation since bus transport is specified as part of Colin's IEP. It also helps that he doesn't have medical issues that come into play like some of the kids who have been in his classes (G-tube fed kids, etc.) so his transport likely wouldn't even qualify as a Medicaid covered service.

But as for me, my SIL has actually just started school to become a massage therapist and has to find "victims" to do homework on. Sigh, I guess I'll just have to he p her out! ;-)

[tabasco]

40. I've alerted on this post.

Making excuses for another disgusting act by the Bush criminals.

There's something wrong with you.

[Deja Q]

55. I know there is. (updated)

That's pretty much a given.

The real question is, what exactly is wrong with me?

Why not help me out and tell me? Or was it more compassionate for you to say the obvious and nothing more?

Don't take this response as an insult. The only way a person can change is to be told what's wrong and then hope they follow through.


On edit - a clarification: Maybe my problem is that I'll take a situation and try to find something - anything - for it to make sense, even if it does sound loopy. I don't have the answers as to why things happen and on the face of issues, emotions are inevitable. It's not as much making excuses as it is thinking different. Or is thinking different wrong, unless it's what everyone else thinks?

[proud2BlibKansan]

80. You need to read my post

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1874092&mesg_id=1879949

[deminks]

25. Here is a link to the Federal Register September 7, 2007.

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/07-4356.htm

or PDF format:

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-4356.pdf

(snip)

However, as discussed further below,
the proposed rule would supersede the
prior guidance and would represent the
Secretary’s determination that
transportation from home to school and
back does not meet the definition of an
optional medical transportation service
nor is it necessary for the proper and
efficient administration of the State
plan.

(end snip)

This might help you with other services that are in question.

[PA Democrat]

39. Thanks deminks.

It looks like they will still cover those services, but I will have to take a closer look at it when I am not so sleepy.

[JeffR]

21. All conservative, no compassion

Shrubalito rides again...

[TheModernTerrorist]

22. fuck this asshole

I WORK with differently-abled kids in a respite home and through their schools, and this is UNACCEPTABLE.

...as if I wasn't already pissed enough :grr: :mad:

[tabasco]

26. Words fail me.

I weep for my Nation.

[SammyWinstonJack]

27. george hates poor people. He doesn't see color, he sees poverty and he has great disdain for it.

And poverty is anyone who isn't in his base, the have and have mores I remember reading that Prescott bu$h told his kids that the poor were too be treated with great disdain. Contrast that with what Joe Kennedy told his kids, that they were privileged and that meant they had an obligation to the less fortunate. :wow:

[WinkyDink]

58. I think it's simpler than that: Bush sees MONEY and WANTS IT.

[Ilsa]

28. My son rides a school bus for special needs children. They

have aides that make sure they are safe and protected and that the right person is there at the stop at home. I can't imagine how he'd feel riding a crowded bus on a lengthen ride home.

Fuck Bush. He hates children.

[FloridaJudy]

29. Unforgiveable.

Just when I think this administration can't possibly sink any lower, they pull something like this. Way to go, GW: take money away from handicapped kids, so that you can fund Blackwater and Halliburton.

I'm speechless, for once.

Does anyone know an easy way to get spittle off a keyboard?

[SammyWinstonJack]

32. Oh trust me bu$hco can sink lower. When he was Tx gov. he was asked

about children going to bed hungry. His reply was, "Wouldn't the gov. know if there were children going to bed hungry?" I guess he didn't and he didn't care!

[Ilsa]

30. I'm wondering if this is a violation of IDEA. The fed govt is so bad

at funding IDEA already, that maybe he thought this wouldn't matter. It does.

[PA Democrat]

38. What will happen is that states and local school districts will struggle to make up the funding loss

But even though IDEA says a "free and appropriate education", services will get cut. "Appropriate" is sadly all too often defined by budget constraints rather than the child's need.

A couple years back a neighboring school district was forced to raise taxes, and one board member made a statement to the press that it was because of the influx of kids with autism into the school district. My guess is that there will be some people who will blame our kids for the increase in local taxes rather than the warmonger-in-chief.

[Pastiche423]

31. There is one thing that Little Lord Pissypants has done...

he has taught me to hate him w/every fiber of my body.

It is so beyond Instant Karma time.

[Ilsa]

34. The article say there'll be more in a Saturday article. nt

[PA Democrat]

36. I contacted Congressman George Miller's office to try to get more info on this.

His staff was wonderful to work with during the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act several years ago.

If I get any info back, I'll post it next week.

[Disturbed]

42. 15 more months of this Silver Spoon Sociopath detroying

Amerika. Thanks to Pelosi. Impeachment is off the table. She said that he is a lovely man. What the Hell is wrong with her? The Dems should throw her out and pick someone who willl fight against the Fascists.

[uppityperson]

41. No Child Left Behind? Except disabled ones?

[KT2000]

43. Many children are disabled

because the the government refuses to test products for harm done to fetuses and small children, especially if those products originate from the oil and chemical industries.
They stall on banning dangerous products even when there is proof that the chemicals such as pthalates, are known to cause disabilities.

Three are really sick creatures, not human beings running this country.

[Boxerfan]

45. Put this message OUT there!! Billboards etc..

The very stench of such a proposal would make excellent campaign fodder-Bring it ON assholes!!

[Hepburn]

46. Well, yeah, but think of how all this money they have saved...

...from going to children's medical insurance and transportation for disabled children can be spent in Iraq for the War on Terra. I mean...isn't national security more important than our children?

:sarcasm:

[Faux pas]

47. 'compassionate conservatism' at it's best. If you are old, sick

infirm or broke, you are useless to them. Fluckers.

[Solly Mack]

49. sick little man

[killbotfactory]

50. Those miserable bastards!

They've never met a war profiteer they didn't like, but they kick disabled kids to the curb.

[varkam]

51. It's a classic conservative move.

They want to privatize pretty much everything, so what do they do? They set public programs up to fail by gutting them! Then, when they inevitably crash and burn, they can get all hot and bothered about needing to fix the broken system. By that point, I'm sure Halliburton will have all the school buses that anyone could possible need...

[SoCalDem]

52. It's just about the money..

They don't mind if kids HAVE buses and education & health care.. it's just that republlicans refuse to PAY for it :grr:

[baby_mouse]

53. What ... on... earth...

? :wtf:

[deminks]

56. Saturday article is up! Goes into more depth. OMG.

http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/392837.html

The district transports 1,100 special-needs children each day -- including some who use wheelchairs -- and is still calculating the potential costs.

"This (regulation) is not limited to just the physically disabled, it also includes physical and speech therapy and other services," said Terry Brown, the district's transportation chief.

(snip)

Rosenstein said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger sent letters to Washington opposing the reductions and Rosenstein met several times with federal officials, to no avail. "What they say they are doing is that they found a few school districts that abused (Medicaid) claiming," Rosenstein said. "So rather than just fixing these problems, they're eliminating the funding entirely."

(snip)

"This not only leaves them behind, but it locks them up," Lopez said. "School districts will do all they can to continue to provide services for (these) children, but this is so devastating."

[PA Democrat]

63. Did you find the article confusing?

I'm not sure if the transportation chief interviewed is saying that the change affects payment for transportation to and from speech therapy, physical therapy etc. or payment for the therapies themselves.

Also, it appears that the Bush administration is making these changes unilaterally without the consent of Congress. Can't Congress overrule him?

[WinkyDink]

57. Revenge. It's Bush's way.

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/CA/P/00/index.html

[Cass]

59. And the kicker is they call themselves pro-life.

I can't stand these jerks.

[Kajsa]

62. I don't think the disabled community is going

is going to stand for this!
What about the ADA?
Is that another " goddamn piece of paper"?

My son,23, has autism.
He still takes the bus everywhere he goes.
Our kids rely on school busses to get them to and from campus.

If Georgie pulls this crap, there will be hell to pay. :nuke:

I'm spreading this link far and wide.

Thanks for the info.

[PA Democrat]

65. I am a member of a LOT of advocacy groups, and this is the first I have heard of this.

Sounds like the filthy bastards were trying to sneak this one past disability advocacy groups. I have a child with autism as well, and I don't like the sounds of this at ALL. The article makes it sound as if services like speech , occupational,behavioral and physical therapies won't be funded by Medicaid as well if they are provided in the schools. Medicaid funds the vast majority of these services in our state for kids with autism. This could be catastrophic.

I have sent this information to several advocacy groups in my area as well. Bush obviously has no shame, no conscience, no soul. He is pure evil.

[Kajsa]

96. Thanks for spreading this, PA Democrat.

Georgie went too far with this one.

No one messes with our kids! ;(

:pals:

[file83]

67. Excellent point - the ADA is going to sue the living shit out of someone for this.

And they should.

I can't believe that a "Christian man" is going after the disabled of our society. That's just down right Alpha Dog animalism there.

Bush never ceases to fucking amaze me. How is this guy still a free man and not rotting away in some jail?

[Kajsa]

97. Hi file83!

Good question!

Apparently, no one is safe from his 'master plan'.

Thanks for your support.

:hi:

[orpupilofnature57]

64. No child left beh... No child thats mine.

Shrub is really letting us Know how much he loves us all.

[Joey Liberal]

68. Bush hates Special Needs kids............n/t

[Cybergata]

69. They also call themselves Christians!

Every time there is a Republican in the white house, they try to kill public education. Kill public education, and you end up with a large class of ignorant folks who are easily exploitable. Also, only the rich remain in power because only the rich are educated. It was the Unions that originally called for public education, which would allow for the possible chance for the working classes to get an opportunity to be on a level playing field. The rich and powerful don't want a level field. They want one slanted in their favor. They want one which allows them to use the poor to keep themselves the "chosen" ones in all aspects of life.

Not helping schools pay for the rules the government imposes on them is a good way to drain the life out of public schools. No child left behind is a good example of that. School districts pay publishers lots of money for testing, money which could be spent to lower the teacher/student ratio or to enrich instruction, is sucked down the black hole of required testing. The publishers make out like robber barons, and the school always are short on funds.

I've dedicated my life to public education, and my heart is breaking! My father dedicated his life to education and believed it was the great equalizer. I cry as I am faced with what my government is doing to public education.

[gaspee]

72. How low can they go?

Every new thing makes me laugh harder because each time they do something heinus, I say, they can't go any lower! But then they do.

[proud patriot]

73. My son is disabled and rides a school bus to his school

across town.

Thanks bush ..

[Pithlet]

85. Mine too.

This just disgusts me. x(

[SalmonChantedEvening]

74. No real Moral Compass to these 'compassionate conservative'

Another load dumped on local & state governments backs so Chimpy can say he's being fiscally responsible.

What a horrible person.

:grr: :puke:

[rodeodance]

75. I tried to find on Fed. Register but not able to. Comments open til nov 7

Public comments on the rule change, published Sept. 7 in the Federal Register, are due by Nov. 7.

[deminks]

81. See my post # 25. Links are there to Federal Register nt

[rodeodance]

83. yes thanks. i saw it a bit ago

[halobeam]

76. k and r

can't add much right now.. I'm not shell shocked, I'm bushocked.

[undeterred]

77. Make 'em walk or crawl if they have to... builds character

:sarcasm:

[NMMNG]

78. They can't afford it. It would take too much away from the war fund.

:eyes:

[proud2BlibKansan]

79. Special ed teacher here - this needs clarification

Medicaid funding is used for transporting kids DURING the school day, not back and forth to school every day. I have a student who wears a hearing aid and she is going to have her hearing aid tested on Monday. Medicaid will pay for her transportation. I have also had kids who needed eye exams or to be fitted for glasses and Medicaid paid for that transportation as well.

Bringing kids back and forth to school is paid for from a different fund. I wouldn't put it past bush to cut that fund too but that isn't what's happening here.

[deminks]

82. I don't think the transportation to and from actual medical providers is being

cut. I think it is the fund for going to and from school that is being cut, even if the child receives Medicaid services while at school.

From the Federal Register September 7, 2007:

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-4356.pdf

However, as discussed further below,
the proposed rule would supersede the
prior guidance and would represent the
Secretary’s determination that
transportation from home to school and
back does not meet the definition of an
optional medical transportation service
nor is it necessary for the proper and
efficient administration of the State
plan.

(snip)

• FFP would no longer be available
for the costs of transportation from
home to school and back for school-age
children with an IEP or IFSP established
pursuant to the IDEA.
The rule would supersede all
previous guidance, including guidance
on school-based administrative claiming
and school-based transportation.
Under the proposed rule, CMS would
continue to reimburse States for schoolbased
direct Medicaid services in their
approved State plans. That is, the
proposed rule would not affect the
treatment of expenditures for direct
medical services that are included in the
approved State Medicaid plan and
provided in schools, nor would it affect
transportation of school-aged children
from school or home to a non-schoolbased
direct medical service provider
that bills under the Medicaid program,
or from the non-school-based provider
to school or home.

(snip)

Furthermore, under the proposed
rule, CMS would continue to reimburse
States for transportation costs related to
children who are not yet school-age and
are being transported from home to
another location, including school, and
back to receive direct medical services,
as long as the visit does not include an
educational component or any activity
unrelated to the covered direct medical
service

(snip)

CMS has determined that
administrative activities performed by
schools, and transportation of schoolage
children from home to school and
back, are not necessary for proper and
efficient administration of the State
Medicaid plan, and are not within the
scope of the transportation services
recognized by the Secretary under 42
CFR 440.170(a), for the following
reasons:
(1) The activities or services support
the educational program and do not
specifically benefit the Medicaid
program;
(2) The activities or services are
performed by school systems to further
their educational mission and/or to
meet requirements under the IDEA,
even in the absence of any Medicaid
payment;
(3) The types of school-based
administrative activities for which
claims are submitted to Medicaid
largely overlap with educational
activities that do not directly benefit the
Medicaid program; and
(4) Transportation from home to
school and back is not properly
characterized as transportation to or
from a medical provider

[PA Democrat]

84. That's how the Council for Exceptional Children seems to be interpreting it as well.

The proposed regulations would eliminate federal Medicaid payments for administrative activities performed by school employees or contractors, or anyone under the control of a public or private educational institution. They would also eliminate Medicaid reimbursements for transportation from home to school and back for school-aged children with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or an Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP) under IDEA. The Administration estimates that the elimination of these reimbursements to schools will save $635 million in savings during the first year and $3.6 billion in savings over the first five years.

http://capwiz.com/cek/issues/alert/?alertid=10326791

[proud2BlibKansan]

88. Medicaid doesn't pay for school transportation

[proud2BlibKansan]

87. We were just notified about this a few days ago from our state ed dept

The cuts are to transportation for kids to medical appointments. Maybe it is different state by state.

But I do know for sure that Medicaid funding is not used for regular school transportation for kids with disabilities; that is a different fund.

[PA Democrat]

90. Check this out from the Council for Exceptional Children's website

The proposed regulations would eliminate federal Medicaid payments for administrative activities performed by school employees or contractors, or anyone under the control of a public or private educational institution. They would also eliminate Medicaid reimbursements for transportation from home to school and back for school-aged children with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or an Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP) under IDEA. The Administration estimates that the elimination of these reimbursements to schools will save $635 million in savings during the first year and $3.6 billion in savings over the first five years.

http://capwiz.com/cek/issues/alert/?alertid=10326791

It may differ from state to state, but I know that Pennsylvania relies extensively on Medicaid to pay for a lot of services provided in the schools. Kids with serious disabilities such as autism qualify for Medical Assistance regardless of parental income and schools routinely bill Medical Assistance for speech, OT, and PT provided at school. Bush tried to push through a reg change earlier this year that would have eliminated Medicaid payment for any service provided in schools. This would have been devastating to every single school district in the state. It seems he is still determined to go after Medicaid spending on kids with disabilities one way or another.

[proud2BlibKansan]

91. Medicaid does not pay for school transportation

That comes from a different fund.

[PA Democrat]

93. Your state/ district may have chosen not to use medicaid funds but it IS being done in other states

http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/392837.html

The Bush administration plans to stop reimbursing states for school-based Medicaid activities, including transporting disabled students, a move that would cost California schools more than $100 million a year.


http://somd.com/news/headlines/2007/6400.shtml

ANNAPOLIS - Maryland officials said a recent decision by federal Medicaid administrators to stop reimbursing states for the cost of transporting disabled students to and from school is part of a "mean-spirited," months-long trend to "dump additional costs onto the states."


The change would hit Baltimore City and Prince George's County the hardest: Baltimore billed Medicaid for $593,503 in fiscal 2007 for special-needs transportation and Prince George's County billed for $106,560, said Bill Reinhard, a state Department of Education spokesman.

[proud2BlibKansan]

95. "The Bush administration plans to stop reimbursing states for school-based Medicaid activities"

This is such a big deal that we have training every year on how to fill out the forms correctly to make sure our district gets the Medicaid reimbursement. The federal govt sends trainers. I just had my yearly training this week. Medicaid reimburses for MEDICAL transportation. Perhaps some school districts are asking for reimbursement for transporting kids back and forth to school but that is not a reimbursable expense. In fact, we were told that we can no longer ask that the kids be transported home after medical visits; we need to have them brought back to school and their parents have to pick them up at school. And they told us that next fiscal year, transportation expenses will no longer be reimbursed.

And really that is bad enough. Most of my kids come from families with no transportation or their parents work and have a hard time getting off work to take them for doctors' appointments. So this new ruling will be a severe hardship.

[BoneDaddy]

86. It's about time

Thank God someone put their foot down. Everyone know the disabled kids are Al Queda's link to America. At least some good has been done here...Amen.

[rodeodance]

89. Lets all send comments to Fed. Register re:

Forum Name General Discussion
Topic subject Lets all send comments to Fed. Register re: Bush plans to cut school buses for disabled kids
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1880014#1880014
1880014, Lets all send comments to Fed. Register re: Bush plans to cut school buses for disabled kids
Posted by rodeodance on Sat Sep-22-07 07:42 PM




Lets all send comments to Fed. Register re: Bush plans to cut school buses for disabled kids

Lots of DUer's have commented on this post. LETS ALL DO something about it!
Just think--over 100,000 DUer's all sending emails regarding this!
And send to your friends please.
Lets blow em out!
I feel terrible after Congress not able to change the course of the war-this feels like I just am doing something positive.
Thanks

Link for sending Comments:

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/07-4356.htm


Forum Name General Discussion
Topic subject Here is a link to the Federal Register September 7, 2007.
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1874092#1874560
1874560, Here is a link to the Federal Register September 7, 2007.
Posted by deminks on Fri Sep-21-07 10:05 PM

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/07-4356.htm

or PDF format:

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-4356.pdf

(snip)

However, as discussed further below,
the proposed rule would supersede the
prior guidance and would represent the
Secretary’s determination that
transportation from home to school and
back does not meet the definition of an
optional medical transportation service
nor is it necessary for the proper and
efficient administration of the State
plan.

(end snip)




Forum Name General Discussion
Topic subject Bush plans to cut school buses for disabled children
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1874092#1874092
1874092, Bush plans to cut school buses for disabled children
Posted by deminks on Fri Sep-21-07 09:06 PM

http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/392663.html

The Bush Administration plans to stop reimbursing states for school-based Medicaid activities, including transporting disabled students, a move that would cost California schools more than $100 million a year.

Districts are scrambling to figure out how to pay the bill because federal law requires schools to provide special services for disabled students.

"If the money stops, districts are going to have to find the money somewhere else in their budgets," said Suzi Rader, director of district and financial services for the California School Boards Association.

Public comments on the rule change, published Sept. 7 in the Federal Register, are due by Nov. 7. The cuts will take effect by the 2008-09 school year unless the administration changes its mind -- which is unlikely based on the administration's record.

(end snip)

So, let me get this straight - Rethuglicans don't what poor children to have health care, and don't want disabled children to have transportation.

And they call themselves human beings. I don't think so.



http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/07-4356.htm




From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access



<

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

42 CFR Parts 431, 433, and 440


RIN 0938-AP13


Medicaid Program; Elimination of Reimbursement Under Medicaid for
School Administration Expenditures and Costs Related to Transportation
of School-Age Children Between Home and School

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Under the Medicaid program, Federal payment is available for
the costs of administrative activities ``as found necessary by the
Secretary for the proper and efficient administration of the State
plan.'' The proposed rule would eliminate reimbursement under the
Medicaid program for the costs of certain activities based on a
Secretarial finding that these activities are not necessary for the
proper and efficient administration of the State plan, nor do they meet
the definition of an optional transportation benefit. Based on these
determinations, under the proposed rule, Federal Medicaid payments
would no longer be available for administrative activities performed by
school employees or contractors, or anyone under the control of a
public or private educational institution, and transportation from home
to school and back for school-aged children with an Individualized
Education Program (IEP) or an Individualized Family Services Plan
(IFSP) established pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA).

DATES: To be assured consideration, comments must be received at one of
the addresses provided below, no later than 5 p.m. on November 6, 2007.

ADDRESSES: In commenting, please refer to file code CMS-2287-P. Because
of staff and resource limitations, we cannot accept comments by
facsimile (FAX) transmission.
You may submit comments in one of four ways (no duplicates,
please):
1. Electronically. You may submit electronic comments on specific
issues in this regulation to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/eRulemaking . Click

on the link ``Submit electronic comments on CMS regulations with an
open comment period.'' (Attachments should be in Microsoft Word,
WordPerfect, or Excel; however, we prefer Microsoft Word.)
2. By regular mail. You may mail written comments (one original and
two copies) to the following address ONLY: Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Attention:
CMS-2287-P, Mail Stop S3-14-22, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD
21244.
Please allow sufficient time for mailed comments to be received
before the close of the comment period.
3. By express or overnight mail. You may send written comments (one
original and two copies) to the following address ONLY: Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services,
Attention: CMS-2287-P, Mail Stop S3-14-22, 7500 Security Boulevard,
Baltimore, MD 21244.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

92. Bush's war on children

he doesn't seem to like them?

[judaspriestess]

94. I just dealt with a stupid repuke last night

she was perfectly ok with spending 100 million a month to rent the Afghan army but had issues with welfare in this country. I told her welfare is a fucking drop in the bucket compared to the billions being spent in as she put it EYEraq. what a nincompoop