This is where I get frustrated with the government.  There are so many children that need services and can't get them due to a lack of funding.  For more information please go to:  http://pawaitinglistcampaign.org  This list is for children with mental challenges.  This is also for those of us who have children with severe cerebral palsy and can't formally take an IQ test.  My son does qualify for these services due to his lack of communication.  This inclusion in the MR system allows me to get respite care and other funds.  Thank God!!!  I tried for over a year to get this.  Start fighting now parents.  It will take a while.  Get your name on the list so that eventually you can get some help too.

 

Now, why is there a lack of funds?  The Federal government supports the waivers for our children.  The Federal Government is busy spending $80 billion a month on a war in Iraq.  Plus, the Federal Government is putting up $150 million for states to have to "reform" public welfare systems.  Now, here is where Pennsylvania's wastefulness comes in to play.  Pennsylvania applied for $5 million of that $150 million.  Where is PA going to put it?  They plan on giving it to women on public assistance that get pregnant and smoke to attend smoking cessation counseling.  If they go to the meetings, then the state will give them a cash or cash equivalent reward.  Also, if certain individuals refill their prescriptions a certain number of times, then they too will get a reward.  Not only do our tax dollars go to pay for the doctors to see them, their medication, and in certain cases transportation to and from the doctor's office, now we are going to pay for a reward for them to do what they should be accountable and responsible for on their own.  Please read the minutes from the MAAC meeting in September of 2006.  Follow this link: http://www.dpw.state.pa.us  Then type in the keyword MAAC  Click on information and then minutes.   If you have trouble, please contact me.

 

Now, here is another case of wasteful spending.  The state has now hired a nurse to check the charts of certain individuals with certain medical conditions.  The nurse will check to see if the doctor is following the correct protocol.  If so, then the doctor gets a cash bonus.  If the doctor fills out a form, then he or she gets a cash bonus.  For more information, please read the powerpoint presentation from a RAC meeting by following the link:http://accessplus.org  Go to RAC meetings and click on it.  Then look under each area and find P4P presentation.  In the North Central Region it is under September 15, 2005.  Again, if you need help, please contact me.

 

These are just a few of the cases that I know about.  I encourage all of you to attend the RAC meeting that are in your area.  If you get the Access Plus card for your child, you need to start attending the meetings to see where the government is spending its money.  Access Plus argues that they hired a private contractor to pay for the bonuses for the P4P program, but PA hired the private contractor.  Gee where did the money originally come from to pay the bonuses?  I am not that stupid.  I actually attended the MAAC meeting and voiced my opinion.  I stood up and said that I feel that they should not give out the cash rewards for people to do what they should be accountable and responsible for in the first place.  I asked the committee that if I don't pay my taxes are they going to give me a $20 incentive to pay them, or are they going to take my house from me and sell it to collect what is owed to them.  I was so fired up at that meeting.  Now, I have not been "invited" back to that meeting.  The state said that Daniel is not a true Medical Assistance recipient.  Not true.  Daniel is and I'm his advocate.  I have to protect him and his rights.  Just like you have to do for your chidren.  My advice is get informed, fight, and never give up.  I wanted hyperbaric oxygen treatments for Daniel.  I went to a fair hearing with DPW and won.  There was two lawyers and a specialist against little old me.  I had researched and paid out of pocket for treatments on my own.  We had before and after treatment documentation of his abilities.  We saw improvement as did the judge; therefore, we won the appeal too.  Never take NO from the state for an answer.  If they can "reward" others, then they can take care of our children.