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Regular Session, 2011 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 41
BY SENATOR BROOME AND REPRESENTATIVES MICHAEL JACKSON,
RICHARD, SIMON AND WILLMOTT
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To urge and request the Department of Health and Hospitals to continue its reliance on the
Medicaid Purchase Plan (MPP) Advisory Council for program outreach, education,
review and guidance.
WHEREAS, the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999
(P.L. 106-170) was intended to enhance work incentives for persons with disabilities by
changing programs operated by the Social Security Administration, the Department of
Labor, and the Department of Health and Human Services; and
WHEREAS, Section 201 of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement
Act of 1999 created two new optional categorically needy Medicaid eligibility groups to
eliminate barriers to employment for individuals with disabilities by improving access to
health care; and
WHEREAS, securing and maintaining competitive employment in an integrated
setting remains a significant challenge for individuals with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, current statistics show that three out of every four individuals with
significant disabilities are not working; and
WHEREAS, one of the major barriers for individuals with disabilities is the fear of
losing comprehensive health coverage if they work; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana citizens with disabilities represent an untapped and often
skilled labor pool; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana has implemented an effective Medicaid Buy-in program,
Medicaid Purchase Plan, which allows enrollees with disabilities to pay a premium and
obtain or retain health care benefits, and allows individuals with disabilities to contribute tax
dollars by returning to the workforce; and SCR NO. 41 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, while the MPP Advisory Council has contributed to significant
improvements in Medicaid and other services to support people with disabilities in their
competitive employment efforts, thousands of Louisiana citizens with disabilities who want
to work and pay taxes still remain idle and dependent upon state and federal assistance.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the Department of Health and Hospitals to continue to work with the
Medicaid Purchase Plan Advisory Council, to provide it access to enrollment and utilization
data, and to seek its guidance on health care policy that impacts workers with disabilities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the MPP Advisory Council be continued in the
absence of funding provided through the state's Medicaid Infrastructure and Competitive
Employment System Grants, with sustainability provided by its members with no direct
funding provided by the state.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the MPP Advisory Council continue to consult
with and assist the department by providing input and guidance, making recommendations,
assisting with Medicaid Purchase Plan outreach and education efforts, and participating in
program review and evaluation, as well as with other health care issues that impact workers
with disabilities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the MPP Advisory Council continue to meet at
regularly scheduled intervals.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the council be composed of twenty-six members,
representing each of the following:
(1) Medicaid, director or designee.
(2) Office of Developmental Disabilities, director or designee.
(3) Louisiana Workforce Commission, director or designee.
(4) Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, director or designee.
(5) Statewide Independent Living Council, director or designee.
(6) Louisiana Commission for the Deaf, director or designee.
(7) Office of Aging and Adult Services, director or designee.
(8) Office of Behavioral Health, director or designee.
(9) People First of Louisiana, director or designee. SCR NO. 41 ENROLLED
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(10) Mental Health America of Louisiana, director or designee.
(11) Families Helping Families, director or designee.
(12) Advocacy Center, director or designee.
(13) Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network, director or designee.
(14) Independence Regained, Inc., director or designee.
(15) Work Incentives Planning and Assistance.
(16) Office of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, director or designee.
(17) Louisiana Department of Economic Development.
(18) Nine consumer advocates, representing people with one or more of the
following;
a. Brain injury.
b. Spinal cord injury.
c. Behavioral health issues.
d. Visual impairment.
e. Hearing impairment.
f. Intellectual disability (such as autism, mental retardation and learning
disability).
g. Chronic disease (such as cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, muscular
dystrophy).
h. Orthopedic impairment.
i. Military service injury.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES