AJR22: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-1255/1

TJD:emw

2017 - 2018 LEGISLATURE

2017 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 22

March 20, 2017 - Introduced by Representatives Kleefisch, Horlacher, Vos, Berceau, Bernier, Billings, Born, Brandtjen, Crowley, Gannon, Hutton, Jacque, Jagler, Katsma, Kitchens, Krug, Macco, Novak, Petryk, Quinn, Ripp, Rohrkaste, Schraa, Skowronski, Steffen, Thiesfeldt and Tittl, cosponsored by Senators Nass, Harsdorf, Hansen, Lasee, Marklein, Stroebel and Olsen. Referred to Committee on Jobs and the Economy.

AJR22,1,2 Relating to: requesting the federal government to revise its guidance on employment services for individuals with developmental disabilities.

AJR22,1,6 Whereas, facility-based programs, such as day programs, training centers, and sheltered workshops, give Wisconsin residents with developmental disabilities the opportunity to gain new skills, meet new people, and make meaningful contributions to society; and

AJR22,1,10 Whereas, many Wisconsin residents with developmental disabilities choose to participate in programs offered by facility-based day programs, training centers, and sheltered workshops and receive great personal and social benefit from doing so; and

AJR22,1,14 Whereas, the parents, guardians, and caregivers of many Wisconsin residents with developmental disabilities are very supportive of facility-based day programs, training centers, and sheltered workshops and can attest to the benefits their programs provide; and

AJR22,2,4 Whereas, often, funding for services provided by facility-based day programs, training centers, and sheltered workshops is obtained through home and community-based services Medicaid waivers granted under section 1915 (c) of the federal Social Security Act; and

AJR22,2,9 Whereas, Medicaid waiver programs, including home and community-based services waiver programs, have been used in Wisconsin for many years to provide services for individuals with developmental disabilities and allow states to provide a range of services to Medicaid-eligible individuals who would otherwise require institutional care; and

AJR22,2,13 Whereas, according to information from the Department of Health Services, on September 1, 2016, there were 19,114 individuals with developmental disabilities receiving services through the Family Care and Family Care Partnership programs, which are Medicaid waiver programs; and

AJR22,2,19 Whereas, there is growing concern that regulations adopted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and contained in 42 CFR 441.301 significantly change the home and community-based services Medicaid waiver program and will reduce opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities to participate in programs offered by facility-based day programs, training centers, and sheltered workshops; and

AJR22,2,22 Whereas, individuals with developmental disabilities should be free to choose the settings in which they receive services, including facility-based day programs, training centers, and sheltered workshops; now, therefore, be it

AJR22,3,3 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature strongly urge the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to reconsider its changes concerning participation in programs offered by facility-based day programs, training centers, and sheltered workshops and permit individuals with developmental disabilities to freely choose the settings in which they wish to receive employment services; and, be it further

AJR22,3,9 Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall send a copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Speaker and Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore and Secretary of the United States Senate, and the members of the Wisconsin Congressional delegation.

AJR22,3,10 (End)