In part one of this two-part series, we addressed the fact that parents and caregivers for loved ones with disabilities such as autism will need to plan in advance for their eventual death to ensure the appropriate steps are taken for their loved one in their absence. In abstract terms, this process includes envisioning the…
Setting the Record Straight: Medicaid Waivers, Medicaid Expansion, Medicaid Transformation
Note: The following is a primer on several issues happening at the same time in our Medicaid system. For background information on Medicaid as a whole, and how Medicaid works in North Carolina, please refer to the āMedicaid Basicsā information at the end of this post, content re-published from our public policy papers available on…
Medicaid Transformation Suspended
Editorās note: This is an update to information posted Sept. 11, 2019. The managed-care rollout has been suspended by DHHS at this time. As a result of the budget impasse, NC DHHS has suspended the roll out and implementation of Medicaid managed care, often referred to as Medicaid transformation. This will not go live as…
New Timeline for Medicaid Transformation
Editorās note: ThisĀ is an update toĀ informationĀ postedĀ July 16, 2019.Ā TheĀ managed-careĀ rolloutĀ has beenĀ changed to one phaseĀ for the whole stateĀ in February 2020, rather than starting in November 2019Ā with some counties.Ā Open enrollmentĀ is now scheduled toĀ end on DecemberĀ 13 for all counties.Ā The NC Department of Health and Human Services is in the process of implementing Medicaid transformation in North Carolina. The vision…
Medicaid Transformation: What You Need to Know
Editorās note: This information is current as of July 16, 2019. Please note, a variety of factors may affect the timeline or other components of the transformation plan. The NCGA, state budget, and other system or administrative issues may create change. We will update this blog if substantive change occurs. The NC Department of Health…
Governor releases budget; NCGA begins budget process
Gov. Roy Cooper released his two-year $25.2 billion budget proposal, a 5.4% increase over last yearās enacted budget, with a clear focus on education, health care, and the stateās infrastructure. Among the highlights was a 9.1% average raise for teachers over two years, a one-time 2% cost-of-living adjustment for retired state employees, and Medicaid expansion….
Public Policy: Advocacy in 2019 and Beyond
One of the most difficult aspects of advocacy is looking at all of the barriers that one might face and believing, despite all of it, that change is possible. The Autism Society of North Carolina has from the start been dedicated to using advocacy to improve the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum and…
Call on Us in Your Time of Need
Dear Families, Friends, and Supporters, Our hearts go out to North Carolinians who are suffering because of Hurricane Florence. We know that thousands of people are being affected. Some have had to leave their homes and belongings behind. Some remain in their homes, but their lives have been disrupted by a lack of electricity, school…
Accessing Services in NC: Tips for Navigating the Maze
The Autism Society of America has given a conservative estimate of $3-$6 million as the cost of caring for one person with autism across his/her lifetime. At the same time, rising costs and changes in health care are coming almost every day, making it more important than ever for families to connect their loved ones…