HCP has learned that Governor Paterson, Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver have reached an agreement on the Deficit Reduction Plan (DRP), which was introduced as part of the Governor’s 2009-10 Executive Budget, and included over $325 million in Medicaid home care cuts. At this time, it is our understanding that all of the proposed Medicaid home care cuts in the DRP have been withdrawn, except that no retroactive adjustment to the final 2008 trend factor projection will apply to services provided for the period of April 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008. This language is unclear and it is unknown what the impact on different provider groups will be.

The Legislature is currently debating the DRP; a vote is expected late this evening or tomorrow. The resolution of the DRP is an important victory for home care. By drastically reducing these proposed cuts, 2009-10 State Budget negotiations can be conducted in the context of a more accurate State financial forecast, including nearly $10 billion in additional Federal Medicaid assistance the State expects to receive as part of an economic stimulus package.

Home care’s fight is not over. The Legislature must now turn its attention to the remainder of the 2009-10 Executive Budget, which includes over $129 million in home care cuts and the Governor’s dangerous prohibition on home care contracting. HCP and retained lobbyists, Weingarten, Reid & McNally, will continue our multi-level advocacy strategy in the coming weeks. HCP members must also continue their critical advocacy efforts, including meetings with Legislators in their districts and in Albany during HCP’s Advocacy Days in March.

HCP thanks our members across the State and our friends in the Legislature who worked tirelessly to protect home care following the release of the DRP and the Executive Budget. We will continue to work with you to ensure continued access to home and community-based care in New York.

HCP’s expert analysis of the DRP and the 2009-10 Executive Budget is available on our Web site at www.nyshcp.org/content.aspx?id=306. Members with questions may contact HCP Vice President of Public Policy Glenn Lefebvre at 518/463-1118, ext. 818 or lefebvre@nyshcp.org.

When you have diabetes, it is important that you get good medical care and take care of yourself. Caring for diabetes is not an easy task sometimes. But you do not have to face it alone. Working with others can help make the job go a lot more smoothly. Key to good care is a health care team. Diabetes is complicated. Your doctor alone cannot be an expert in every area. For this reason, your diabetes care team may include different specialists depending upon what you need.

Your health care team should be available to help you manage your diabetes and maintain your good health, but the most important member of the team is YOU. Not only do you care for your diabetes every day, but you also play a lead role in the health care team. As a patient with diabetes, you have to make sure all information makes sense to you and that your health care team members are in good communication with one another. Some health care providers even offer Shared Medical Appointments or Group Appointments where other people with diabetes and multiple members of your health care team participate at the same time!

The American Diabetes Association provides useful information about your health care team. The following material is adapted from their website.