At the end of the legislative session, state budget writers went from debating a zero to 10 million dollar cut, to taking a 20 million dollar cut out of state funded services for people with developmental disabilities, mental illness and addictive disease. While it is the same cut as last year, it has much greater impact….
What happened at the Legislature this session? ASNC Budget Wrap Up Report
Editor’s Note – The following article was written by Jennifer Mahan, the Autism Society of North Carolina’s Director of Government Relations. During the General Assembly “short” legislative session that lasted from May 16 to July 3rd, state legislators made small changes to the second year of the two-year state budget they put into place last…
Tips for Parents Transitioning to the Innovations Waiver
Editor’s Note – The following article was written by Jean Alvarez, Parent Advocate/Trainer for the Autism Society of North Carolina and parent of a young man on the autism spectrum. Jean lives in western NC. As Local Management Entities (LMEs) move from the old system of service delivery to a network of MCOs and a…
What’s in health reform (Affordable Care Act) for people on the autism spectrum?
Editor’s Note – Thanks to Jennifer Mahan, Autism Society of North Carolina Director of Government Relations for the following analysis of last week’s Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Care Act. The Supreme Court of the United States recently upheld the Affordable Care Act (ACA) which would expand health care coverage for many people in…
Time is Running Out for Feedback
[Note: this alert was also sent out to the Autism Society of North Carolina’s network of subscribers on June 8th, 2012] Time is running out to make your voice heard on the managed care system in North Carolina! The Autism Society of North Carolina, in collaboration with the Arc and other Developmental Disability Advocates,…
What is the NC General Assembly Up to This Session?
Editor’s Note: The following entry was written by Jennifer Mahan, Autism Society of North Carolina Director of Government Relations. Jennifer will be providing a monthly summary of legislative activities while during this year’s short session as well as other updates about autism-related legislative efforts. May 14th was the start of the” short” legislative session this…
Coalition Rally 2012
Mark your calendars now and join The Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) at the for the 2011 Coalition Popcorn Rally and Advocacy Day at the NC General Assembly on May 22nd from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. The Autism Society of North Carolina is a long time member of The Coalition, a group of…
1 in 88, 1 in 70, what does it all mean?
On March 29, just two days before the beginning of Autism Awareness Month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new figures for the prevalence of autism. While no one expected a decrease, the new rate of 1 in 88 nationally (up from 1 in 110 in two years) and 1 in 70…
CAP IDD MRDD Waiver Changes Delayed Again
The Autism Society of North Carolina previously provided an update about major changes that were expected to take place for people currently receiving CAP IDD (MRDD) Waiver services. It is our understanding that the Division of Medical Assistance and Division of MHDDSAS has received another extension of the current waiver until June 28, 2012. We expect that…