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8/21/15 CP News

Volume #21 – Issue #6
GOVERNOR SIGNS SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST BILL

Governor Cuomo signed S.5445–B (LaValle)/A.8241 (Glick), which authorizes School Psychologists to provide evaluations and services for children in the Early Intervention and 4410 programs.

CP of NYS worked diligently over the past year with the Legislature, the State Education Department, and the Health Department to resolve this issue.  Here is the new law (Chapter 217) and the CP of NYS letter to the Governor.

Barbara Crosier

GOVERNOR CUOMO VETOES BILL THAT REQUIRES PRESCRIBER PREVAILS IN MANAGED CARE

Governor Cuomo vetoed A.7208 (Gottfried)/S.4893 (Hannon).  CP of NYS strongly supported this bill because it would have clarified that prescriber prevails for nine drug classes under Medicaid managed care as is currently required in Medicaid fee-for-service. Fortunately, most individuals with developmental disabilities continue to be in fee-for-service Medicaid, where their physician’s educated decision prevails for the nine types of drugs, including seizure and epilepsy drugs, anti-depressants, anti-rejection drugs, and others.  Unfortunately, New York State plans to move individuals with developmental disabilities into Medicaid managed care within the next few years where Medicaid managed care plans have been able to prevent doctors’ medical judgment from prevailing by demanding extraordinary proof of a drug’s medical necessity. A.7208 (Gottfried)/S.4893 (Hannon) would have addressed this inconsistency and clarified that it is the prescriber’s medical judgment that ultimately determines whether a Medicaid managed care plan must cover a drug in the nine specified classes.

CP of NYS is extremely disappointed that the Governor vetoed this bill and we are concerned that the reasons given, the impact on the Medicaid global cap outside of the budget process, is a specious argument as it was rejected by the Administration during budget discussions and will have a minimal fiscal impact, particularly if the Administration is “committed to ensuring that patients receive the prescription medication recommended by their treating physicians.”

Barbara Crosier


TRANSFORMATION PANEL SCHEDULES PUBLIC HEARINGS IN SEPTEMBER

The NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) has announced that it will hold a series of sevenTransformation Panel public forums across the state throughout the month of September. Your views will inform the Panel’s recommendations, and these public forums are an opportunity to express them. Please save the date. More details will follow from OPWDD.

Thursday, September 17
Long Island 12 noon – 2 pm

Upsky Long Island Hotel
110 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, NY

New York City 5 pm – 7 pm
UJA-Federation of New York
130 East 59th St, NY, NY

Thursday, September 24
Syracuse 12 noon – 2 pm

The New York State Fairgrounds
Art and Home Center, Martha Eddy Room
581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse

Rochester 5 pm – 7 pm
Guardian Angels Church Hall
2061 E. Henrietta Road, Henrietta

Friday, September 25
Buffalo 11 am – 1 pm

Burchfield Penney Art Center
Auditorium
1300 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo

Tuesday, September 29
Albany 5 pm – 7 pm

Empire State Plaza,
Meeting Room 6, Albany

Wednesday, September 30
Plattsburgh 12 noon – 2 pm

Westside Ballroom
253 New York Road, Plattsburgh

THE CENTER FOR DISCOVERY TRIO HAS WINNING ART ENTRY

Three artists from The Center for Discovery produced the winning entry in the 2015 Visions of New York Art Contest. “The Joy is in the Continual Discovery” was created by Heather, Michael and Kathleen, who reside together at The Center. The colorful decoupage piece was created by the three to decorate the dining and common space in their residence. The artists will be recognized, along with nine other awards recipients, at the CP of NYS Annual Awards Dinner, October 26, in Saratoga Springs.

Matthew Feldman, from HCA of Southern New York, was first runner-up in the contest, and Laurie Noorlander, representing Inspire of Orange County, was chosen second runner-up. A record 21 entries were received this year.

Al Shibley

GERSON REAPPOINTED TO EICC

Judi Gerson, Vice President, Policy and Program Services in the CP of NYS Affiliate Services Office, has been reappointed to another three-year term on the Early Intervention Coordinating Council (EICC). The EICC is a 27-member advisory council established in Section 2553 of the Public Health Law. The EICC assists the New York State Department of Health with the administration of the Early Intervention Program and makes recommendations to the Department regarding appropriate services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. Ms. Gerson has been a member of the EICC since 2000. Her presence on the council provides CP of NYS and our Affiliates with a strong and experienced advocate and a respected and influential voice on EI issues.

Al Shibley

ART AND PHOTO EXHIBITION A SUCCESS

On Thursday, July 9, approximately 90 artists, their families and friends, and staff from Queens Centers for Progress, UCP of New York City, and CP of NYS Metro Services attended a reception at Flushing Town Hall in Queens to celebrate an exhibition of artwork and photography by individuals representing the three Affiliates.

Susan Constantino, President & CEO of CP of NYS, welcomed those in attendance and praised the dedication and talent of the 50 artists involved in the exhibition. She then introduced CP of NYS Metro Services artist Leslie Greenberg, who spoke briefly on behalf of artists representing her organization in the exhibition. Terri Ross, Director of Adult Services, Queens Centers for Progress (QCP), expressed the pride everyone felt at seeing the work of such a talented group of artists. She then introduced QCP artist Laureen Finnegan, who thanked everyone for attending the event. Jacqueline Conley, Vice President of Program Services, UCP of New York City, also praised the artists and offered thanks to the staff members who helped pull the show together. She then introduced artist Susan Hoffman, who expressed the excitement she and the other artists felt at seeing their work displayed in a professional gallery.

Congratulations and thanks to Peter Cobb (UCP of NYC), Jim Interlicchio and Eileen Haberman, from CP of NYS Metro Services, and Josie Davide and Maryann McAleer, from QCP, for putting together a terrific event.

Al Shibley

New Aspire van-1
Aspire of WNY took delivery of their new Home Service vehicle earlier this month. This is the first of three vehicles purchased each year for the CP of NYS Home Service Program. The New York State Elks Association Major Projects Corporation offers three $10,000 grants each year to help Affiliates purchase replacement vehicles. For more than 60 years the NYS Elks Association has supported the Home Service program, donating more than $25 Million dollars.