Legislative Summer/Fall Task Forces Begin Their Work
Pain Management and End of Life Care Study: The 2008 Legislature authorized a study on end of life care and pain management in Vermont. The committee held its second meeting on Sept. 22. The focus of the testimony was on the quality of chronic pain management in Vermont and a presentation on pediatric hospice and palliative care. The committee has two more meetings scheduled for Oct. 29 and Nov. 14 in room 10 at the Statehouse. End of life care will probably be a major focus but they also have said they will be accepting additional testimony from home health and Visiting Nurse Association representatives on chronic pain issues.
Study Committee on Adult Guardianship Established. H.617, enacted in the last session, included a mandate for a Guardianship Task Force, to study ways for improving guardian accountability, assuring the protection of rights and well-being of persons under guardianship, and training and supporting guardians in the execution of their guardianship duties. The committee held an initial organizational meeting Sept. 12. The committee is reviewing the adult guardianship laws and related guidelines and is exploring ways to improve monitoring and reporting while making reporting activities easier for guardians and giving individuals with guardians greater involvement in the process.
The next meeting of the group is Monday, Sept. 29, from 9-12. The scheduled meetings, all at the Vermont Bar Association conference room at 35-37 Court Street in Montpelier, are:
09/29/08 Monday 9am-12pm
10/09/08 Thursday 2pm-4pm
10/23/08 Thursday 2pm-4pm
11/12/08 Wednesday 1pm-3pm
11/24/08 Monday 9am-12pm
12/01/08 Monday 9am-12pm(tentative)
Both the pain management and end of life committee and the guardianship committee are preparing reports to the Legislature for the the upcoming legislative session. Please let VCDR know if you want additional information about the work of either of these groups. A more detailed summary will be included in the next issue of The Independent, which goes to press in mid-October.
Work Incentive Study to Begin: The Legislature asked the administration to convene a task force to identify ways to improve Vermont’s work incentive policies, particularly as they relate to accessing Vermont’s Medicaid program for individuals with disabilities who are working. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is in the process of contracting with someone to help with the data collection needed for this project. A report is due to the Legislature in January.
Budget Reductions: As many of you know, the administration and the Joint Fiscal Committee of the Legislature recently agreed on an additional series of budget cuts affecting state-funded programs and staffing. The summary that VCDR sent out in August listed expected disability program cuts. All of these were approved by Joint Fiscal and are in the process of being implemented. Additional cuts may be proposed in November.
Good News on Expanded Food Stamp Eligibility: Earlier this month, the governor signed into law an important change in the rules for food stamps. The administration has eliminated the asset test
and raised the gross income eligibility guidelines for food stamps.
These changes are set to take effect Jan. 1, 2009. Please distribute this information widely.
If you have questions about the information is this update, please e-mail us at vcdrvt@gmail.com or call VCDR at 223-6140. We look forward to hearing from you!
- Deborah Lisi Baker, President VCDR