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State Representative Gene Pelowski Jr.
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-8637
For more information contact: Chris Shields 651-296-8873
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HEALTH BILL INCLUDES INITIATIVE EXPANDING SERVICES FOR WINONA DISABLED YOUTH
ST. PAUL – State Representative Gene Pelowski (DFL-Winona) praised a 86 to 45 vote in the Minnesota House to pass the Omnibus Health and Human Services Finance Bill that includes an initiative authored by Rep. gene Pelowski (DFL-Winona) that could make a Winona program that provides out-of-school services to disabled youth, a model for the state.
Home and Community Options (HOC) in Winona has operated a non-residential program for children with severe disabilities for the last seven years. They currently serve 70 families in the community.
"HOC in Winona provides a home away from home for kids with the support they need to stay involved in the community while continuing to live with their families," said Pelowski. " Since the Department of Human Services doesn't have a license category for programs like HOC, we're going to make sure they stay open and create a model for the entire state."
Pelowski's legislation requires the department of human services to offer specific licensing non-residential programs like HOC's and help develop similar ones statewide.
"By allowing more opportunities outside school, disabled children can become more healthy, safe, independent, and part of their local community," added Pelowski. "We will also save millions in taxpayer dollars if these children continue living at home."
The bill also provides health care coverage for every child in Minnesota by 2011, introduces significant reform and cost reductions in the health care system, and increases support for Minnesota nursing homes.
"Minnesotans told us loud and clear that health care is becoming more and more out of reach," said Pelowski. "This bill will cover the 70,000 Minnesota children currently without health care coverage and take the first steps to making sure all Minnesotans have access to affordable health care."
"Covering all kids isn't just the right thing to do, but it makes economic sense," added Pelowski. "When kids have access to preventative care, they will be less likely to use the emergency room or have expensive treatments that drive up costs for everyone."
Other highlights of the bill include:
• $393 million for rate increases for long-term care providers
• $116 million in Mental Health Initiatives
• $101 million to reduce Medicaid asset limits for elderly and disabled Minnesotans
• $28 million to reduce copays for Medicaid coverage of Medicare Part D
• $3 million to provide access to MinnesotaCare for farmers
Pelowski said the bill includes $393 million in additional funding for Minnesota nursing homes and long-term care providers over the next four years.
"Seventy-five percent of the funding increase must be used to increase wages and benefits for workers," Pelowski added. "We want to attract the best people we can to care for our seniors."
In addition, the bill strengthens programs that help senior and disabled Minnesotans remain in their homes, it increases access to affordable quality childcare for working families and expands access to mental health treatment.
The bill now heads to a conference committee with the Senate.
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News Items
- REP. GENE PELOWSKI: MINNESOTA STATUTE 12A IMPROVES STATE DISASTER RECOVERY PROCESS AND DISASTER RELIEF PACKAGE - (Posted: 2012-08-24 00:00:00)
- REP. GENE PELOWSKI AND SEN. JEREMY MILLER SUPPORT TWO-BRIDGE PROPOSAL - (Posted: 2012-08-23 00:00:00)
- REP. GENE PELOWSKI: STATE DISASTER RECOVERY PACKAGE SHOULD FOLLOW PROCESS OUTLINED IN 12A AND INCLUDE PUBLIC INPUT - (Posted: 2012-08-16 00:00:00)
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