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Civil Rights

Public Policy

In February 2012, United Cerebral Palsy expanded its public policy department, adding Executive Vice President for Policy Connie Garner, Director of Policy Communications and Advocacy Kaelan Richards, and Policy Associate Kate Josephson. Together, the public policy team has focused on national development and advocacy, targeted state affiliate support and strategy, and establishing relationships with the aging and other communities that share a common commitment to disability issues.

 

Federal disability policy issues

Over the past year, UCP has worked to address federal disability policy issues such as the protection and implementation the Affordable Care Act (ACA), budget threats to entitlement programs, accessibility to services and programs that support home and community-based living, and new options for employing people with disabilities. UCP is also a member of a workgroup with the American Society for Actuaries, which is working to design a proposal for long-term services and supports.

Additionally, UCP has focused on several issues impacting affiliates across the country, including Medicaid managed care and education reform. In September 2012, UCP hosted the first meeting of the “UCP Leadership Work Group on Medicaid Managed Care,” which brought together UCP affiliates, representatives from the insurance industry, Medicaid state directors and the Obama Administration to facilitate a better understanding of both managed care and the significant role UCP affiliates can play in a managed care network.

Moving forward in 2013, there is expected to be a major focus on education reform, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is at the forefront of this movement. UCP is working with both the Department of Education and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as these reform conversations continue and, in particular, in relation to charter schools, which will impact some UCP affiliates.

Another area UCP focused on is the development of new business models for employing people with disabilities. A leadership group is planned to address this issue in early 2013, bringing together UCP affiliates, business leaders and policy experts to explore options and models to create more opportunities for people with disabilities to work in the community.

 

State disability policy issues

UCP is continuing to provide targeted technical assistance and strategy support to affiliates who have identified major issues in their state delivery systems. In 2012, the public policy team worked with affiliates in several states on a variety of issues, ranging from Medicaid waiver reimbursements, managed care, early intervention services and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

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United Cerebral Palsy
1825 K Street NW Suite 600
Washington, DC 20006

Phone: 800.872.5827 / 202.776.0406