Children, Families, Health, & Human Services Interim Committee

Children and Families Committee Requests Bill Drafts for DD Study

Committee: Children, Families, Health, & Human Services Interim Committee
Author: Sue O'Connell
Posted on May 17, 2018


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The Children, Families, Health, and Human Services Interim Committee in May asked for draft legislation on a variety of topics affecting community services to people with developmental disabilities.

The committee has been reviewing community services this interim, as requested in House Joint Resolution 24. Much of the information the committee has gathered has focused on the need for more flexibility in the funding of DD services and the need to improve retention of the direct-care workers who provide services in the community.

Toward that end, the committee asked that bills be drafted to:

  • tie DD provider rates to the Consumer Price Index and put into effect the pay raise for direct-care workers that was approved in House Bill 638 last session but delayed due to a shortfall in revenues;
  • require the Department of Public Health and Human Services to reimburse providers with a daily or monthly, rather than hourly, rate for some services;
  • create a special revenue account for unspent general fund money appropriated to match federal Medicaid funding for DD services and allow the money in that account to be used for a variety of purposes;
  • require the use of a nationally recognized assessment tool known as the Supports Intensity Scale to determine the level of support a developmentally disabled person needs to live in the community;
  • create a regional crisis response program based on the model developed in New Mexico; and
  • direct DPHHS to review regulatory and administrative requirements to eliminate unnecessary duplication, oversight, and inconsistencies where possible.

The committee will review and take public comment on the bill drafts in June.

Before deciding on the bill draft requests, the committee heard about the way in which DPHHS develops budget proposals for community services and about ongoing discussions the agency and providers are holding on topics of concern. The talks currently are focused on transportation requirements and the billing system for congregate residential services.

Also at the meeting, the committee:

  • requested draft legislation to eliminate the oversight committee created by the Medicaid expansion law;
  • decided against filing an objection at this time to rules adopted for the medical marijuana program, after hearing about proposed rule changes that primarily would reduce the amount of space allowed for the growing of marijuana; and
  • learned from DPHHS Director Sheila Hogan that the agency has awarded a contract to AWARE Inc. to provide targeted case management services to people with developmental disabilities.

The department initially planned to eliminate contracts with the four providers offering targeted case management and to have state employees provide the service, instead. However, Hogan said that after the committee asked the department to work with providers on an alternative solution, the agency decided to use a competitive bidding process to contract with one provider for the services.

The committee will hold its next meeting on June 21-22 at the Capitol in Helena. For more information, visit the committee's website or contact Sue O'Connell, committee staff.

Committee Website: www.leg.mt.gov/cfhhs
Committee Staff: soconnell@mt.gov or 406-444-3597