HomeMy WebLinkAboutLong Term Support Planning Committee 06-22-95 2 of 2ST. CROIX COUNTY
NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING
TO: Robert Boche, Chairman
St. Croix County Board
FROM: Ron Lockwood, Sw Supervisor
Long Term Support Unit
DATE: June 13, 1995
COMMITTEE TITLE: Long Term Support Planning Committee
MEETING DATE: Thursday, June 22, 1995
MEETING TIME: 1:30 p.m.
Board Room - St. Croix Co. Health & Human Services Complex,
MEETING LOCATION: 1445 N. 4th Street, New Richmond, WI 54017
CALL TO ORDER:
ROLL CALL:
ADOPTION OF AGENDA:
ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES:
DATE/LOCATION OF NEXT MEETING:
AGENDA: (Agenda not necessarily presented in this order)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1) Letter from State Representative Sheila Harsdorf concerning Budget Bill
recommendations.
2) Letter from State Senator Scott Fitzgerald concerning AB245.
3) Consider postponing joint meeting with Human Services Board until August.
NEW BUSINESS:
1) Financial Reports)
2) Variance and Purchase requests
3) Waiting list report
4) Review process used in developing 1995
LTS Budget fits with the Human Services
county programs.
5) Discuss procedures and
on how county dollars a
6) Act 469 which requires
Assistance Nursing Home
Budg
Budget
et for Long Term Support and how the
and the Summary Budget for all
deadlines for 1996 Budget process with special emphasis
re aiiocated.
the state to allocate to COP any savings in Medical
costs generated by COP in the previous year.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE:
POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING:
ADJOURNMENT:
Copies to: County Clerk's Office
Committee Members
/lts-com/notice
StSCONSJe
SHEILA E. HARSDORF
State Representative
Wisconsin's 30th Assembly District
�a
May 24, 1995
Mr. Ray Mealey
St. Croix County Health and Human Services
1445 N. 4th Street
New Richmond, WI 54017
Dear Mr. Mealey:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the Governor's proposed changes to the Spousal
Impoverishment program and Medical Assistance personal care in the proposed 1995-97 state budget.
I appreciated you taking time to let me know of your concerns.
Since February, when the budget was introduced, the long-term care portion of the budget has been
the focus of much attention and concern. You, along with many other individuals from across the
state, through letters, calls, and testimony at public hearings, made a strong case for why changes
needed to be made to the Governor's provision regarding Medical Assistance personal care benefits,
Supplemental Security Income benefits, and the Spousal Impoverishment Program.
As you know, the Governor's proposed changes to long term care in the state budget included:
removing personal care from the list of medical assistance (MA) benefits, eliminating state -only
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments to 17,000 individuals, and reducing the asset and
income allowances for the Spousal Impoverishment Program from Federal maximum allowable levels
to the Federal minimum allowable levels.
Due to your interest in long term care, I thought you would appreciate a summary of the changes
which the Joint Finance Committee adopted to the Governor's budget regarding these issues.The
Finance Committee approved reinstating personal care as a medical assistance benefit and restoring
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits to those individuals currently receiving state -only
payments. The committee approved modifying the income and asset levels for the Spousal
Impoverishment Program so that individuals could retain $50,000 worth of assets or one-half of their
assets up to $74,820, whichever is greater and earn up to $1672 per month or $20,064 per year in
order for their spouse to qualify for nursing home care under Medical Assistance.
As a member of the Joint Finance Committee, I strongly supported and voted for these changes
because I believe these benefits help those truly in need. For some individuals, the absence of these
benefits would simply make it impossible for them to live in their own home, forcing them into a
nursing home or more costly care.
Although these provisions, along with every provision in the budget, are subject to change as the
budget is voted on in the State Assembly and the State Senate, I am optimistic that these provisions
will be adopted as approved by the Finance Committee.
Thank you again for taking time to let me know your views. Your interest and input was .important.
If I can be of further assistance, please let me know.
Sincerely,
SHEILA E. HARSDORF
State Representative
30th Assembly District
MEMBER: JOINT COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
15 North, State Capitol, P.O. Box 8952, Madison, Wisconsin 53708-8952 (608-266-1526) or (1-800-362-WISC)
N6627 County Road E, River Falls, Wisconsin 54022 (715-425-6430)
Recycled Paper and Soy Base Ink
May 31,
1995
Mr. Ray Mealey, Chairman
Long Term Support Committee
St. Croix County Health and
1445 North Fourth Street
New Richmond, WI 54017
Dear Mr. Mealey:
SCOTT FITZGERALD
Wisconsin State Senator
1 3 t h S e n a t e
Human Services
Thank you for your letter dated May 24, 1995 regarding your
opposition to AB245. I appreciated hearing your opinion and
understand your viewpoint.
As a member of the Health Human Services and Aging Committee, I
take great interest in this issue. When this bill comes before the
State Senate, I will be sure -to keep your comments in mind.
If you have further questions or comments, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Sett
State
13th
Fitzg
Senatu�
Senate District
Co -Chair:
Capitol Office:
District Office:
Joint Survey Committee on State Capitol, P.O. Box 7882 105 Leonard Ave.
Tax Exemptions Madison, WI 53707-7882 Juneau, WI 53039
Joint Survey Committee on 608-266-5660 Phone & Fax: 414-386-0260
Retirement Systems Toll -free: 1-800-362-9472