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April 2008 |
| The Governor has stated that Greene Valley Developmental Center is the "poster child" for reform. We must wonder what he would call it now?...Click Here |
| An email that surfaced showing a possible explanation for the high dental costs...Click Here |
Take a bow SN, the changes within DMRS have led to an increase in ER and hospital admissions. Just as long as the budget is getter smaller, thats how SN is thinking...
January-February 2007-2008 hospital admissions... Click Here
January-March 2007-2008 hospital admissions...Click Here |
| How many lies can you count in this memo sent to the agencies...Click Here |
| The state loses funding at Greene Valley Developmental Center, Not suprisingly...Click Here |
| If only this was the case. If it was, then Stevie would be singing a dfferent tune for sure...Click Here |
| The state of TN eliminates People First of TN contract...Click Here |
| A letter from the state providing clarification on CB Day 4 and FB 4...Click Here |
| A letter sent to Dr. Nancy Ray concerning a beloved woman who is suffering...Click Here |
| A beloved woman is suffering as a result of the DMRS changes...Click Here |
| Cruel Cuts: State says funding changes are necessary...Click Here |
March 2008 |
| Interesting DMRS budget figures...Click Here |
| Fulfill the promise-Naashville public meeting...Click Here |
| A letter sent to a lawmaker...Click Here |
| Tennessee budget cuts become sore spots...Click Here |
| Questions in the DMRS budget need answers updated...Click Here |
| Questions in the DMRS budget need answers...Click Here |
| DMRS Commissioner addresses funding cuts...Click Here |
| DMRS cuts hurt the disabled video...Click Here |
| State's mentally disabled losing services forum...Click Here |
| A concerned citizen sent us a flyer that is being used to attract much needed attention...Click Here |
You can file a Federal Complaint about the Waiver program with the following person(s): Mary Sowers
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS)
Health Insurance Specialist
410-786-6814
Jay Gavens
Acting Associate Regional Administrator, Region 4
61 Forsythe Street SW, Suite 4 T20
Atlanta GA, 30303
404-562-7430
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| A letter sent to us that was sent to a lawmaker in Nashville...Click Here |
| Transcript from the 3-5-08 DMRS open forum...Click Here |
| Rainy day fund could aid budget...Click Here |
| 4-12-07 DMRS budget hearing, can you count the number of lies?...Click Here |
Can they kill our agency's anymore?
The funds for medication administration classes are no longer available...Click Here |
| End of June 2007 audit results...Click Here |
| One of the many lies from the 3-5-08 budget hearing...Click Here |
| State's mentally disabled losing services...Click Here |
| Some notes were taken during the 3-5-08 DMRS cuts forum...Click Here |
3-5-08 DMRS House of Representatives budget hearing, can you count the number of lies?...Click Here
3-5-08 DMRS Senate budget hearing, can you count the number of lies?...Click Here |
| Mentally disabled lose services...Click Here |
It is hard to imagine that our law makers want their per diem reimbursement amount increased.
2007 Senate travel and per diem reimbursement
First Quarter...Click Here
Second Quarter...Click Here
Third Quarter...Click Here
Fourth Quarter...Click Here
2007 House of Representatives travel and per diem reimbursement
First Quarter...Click Here
Second Quarter...Click Here
Third Quarter...Click Here
Fourth Quarter...Click Here |
| A forum concerning the cuts in service...Click Here |
| Tennessee prisions calm as building goes on...Click Here |
Is our Commissioner above the law?
Tennessee's chaotic prisions, an article from 1985...Click Here |
| Legislators get an earful, will review service cuts...Click Here |
| DMRS cuts have hurt clients, providers alike...Click Here |
| A series of interesting emails between concerned citizens and Tennessee's own elected official's regarding the DMRS cuts...Click Here |
| TnCo's attorney's send letter to Commissioner Norris...Click Here |
| A story shared that shows one family’s struggle to get DMRS funding...Click Here | |
February 2008 |
The 2006 Tennessee Pork Report:
Wasteful spending in the Tennessee State Government revealed...Click Here |
Tennesseans with disabilities: TN is breaking the law...Click Here |
Budget busting ballroom...Click Here |
Cuts Of Mental Retardation services brings lawsuit video...Click Here |
Cuts public forum flyer...Click Here |
Fiscal year 2009 budget recommendations...Click Here |
Here are three things we CAN do. This will make a difference! Now is the time to write U S District Court Judge Bernice Donald and inform her of the DMRS Budget cut CRISIS. At our last meeting we agreed to write Judge Bernice Donald and our local officials and keep them informed. IBelow are a few suggestions for writing Judge Donald: 1. Include the case number for the Arlington Class: Civil Action No. 92-2062-ML/A 2. Inform the judge of DMRS budget cuts direct effect on the life of the individual and lack of vital services. Define the crisis to the individual and to all people with DD in TN. 3. Explain the DMRS budget cuts directly violate the order. 4. Request a Public Hearing. Address to: Judge Bernice Donald CHAMBERS Room #951
9th Floor Courtroom #3
Clifford Davis Federal Building
167 North Main Street
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
Call your congressman: Reach your Congressman through the Congressional switchboard at 202-225-3121. |
Open forum to be held to address DMRS funding cuts...Click Here |
Bredesen's response to mansion protest 'Arrogant'...Click Here |
Governor urges restructuring of long term care...Click Here |
An interesting newsletter from a State Representative...Click Here |
There was a motion filed 2-13-08 against the state entailing that the state is in contempt of the remedial order.
Motion for contempt memorandum...Click Here
Motion for contempt...Click Here
Motion for contempt, exhibit A...Click Here
Motion for contempt, exhibit B...Click Here |
On 2-12-08, Commissioner Norris and some members of the State Department met with a group of concerned DMRS providers to discuss the proposed changes and the current protocols and the effects that these changes are currently having on the individuals supported. Concluding from the meeting, it appears that progress towards a goal is in the works. The meeting was very positive and Commissioner Norris listened intently to the suggestions and problems raised by those at the meeting. It appeared that he was unaware of some of the concerns that were raised and acknowledged possible errors. He did however remain firm on the cuts as related to the budget. It is encouraging at this point to know that there appears to somewhat of a light at the end of the tunnel. |
We knew it was just a matter of time until the agency's started to pass along the cuts that would effect the individuals within the DMRS system. For instance...A concerned staff who works for a residential provider agency in west TN sent us an email stating that their employer (agency) has cut regular staff pay by $0.25 per hour and home manager pay by $0.75 per hour. |
The following excerpt was sent to us in early February from a source who wished to remain anonymous out of fear of losing their job...
"The Friends for the Retarded today announced the the Division of Mental Retardation Services (DMRS) misplaced $25 million dollars at the same time it was cutting funds to community agencies. A State official in the Division of Mental Retardation (DMRS) reported this week that the Division had misplaced $25 million dollars and failed to bill Tenncare and the Federal government for $25 million dollars it was due in 2006. As a result DMRS is short $25 million dollars in its current budget. The State (DMRS and Tenncare) are seeking negotiations with the Federal government to see if the $25 million can be billed at this late date, two years later. DMRS is currently facing a budget crisis and cutting approximately $3 million dollars per month from services and funds to local community providers. Community mental retardation providers are being forced to make significant reductions in staff working in residential and day programs, nursing services, physical and behavioral therapies, DMRS officials are meeting with community agencies seeking further cuts and reductions in services." |
Some of the unanswered questions about TennCare reform...Click Here |
Governor's mansion expansion gets approval...Click Here |
Bredesen defends commissioner pay hikes...Click Here |
Mental Retardation unit's cuts questioned...Click Here |
Local woman told to get divorce to qualify for care...Click Here |
Quality Review Panel's Supplemental report on community programs...Click Here |
Letter to editor concerning cutting funding and services...Click Here |
Governor is against using reserves Article...Click Here |
An update from the Arlington class court monitor showing how the state has been
unable to follow the settlement agreement...Click Here |
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January 2008 |
A 2003 DMRS audit that can surely help explain why DMRS is in their
current position...Click Here |
A past DMRS contracting audit that will also help explain why DMRS
is in their current position...Click Here |
A 2007 DMRS audit that is shameful to read...Click Here |
Page 1 of the 5.7% rate reduction letter sent from the state...Click Here
Page 2 of the 5.7% rate reduction letter sent from the state...Click Here |
A letter from the state showing that the providers will rightfully get their 5.7% back
but now the state will take 6.1% away for 6 months. Does this mean that the providers
should only provide 93.9% of the services since that's all the state is going to
reimburse?...Click Here |
A letter sent from People First demanding the state to stop the cuts...Click Here |
A response letter from the Quality Review Panel...Click Here |
The devasating proposed changes that will for sure put several providers out of work,
forced to seek other employment...Click Here |
A summary of a recent audit. This is shocking information...Click Here |
Reimbursement rate cut hurts service providers Article...Click Here |
‘Poor budgeting’ impacts Emory Valley Center Article ...Click Here |
Budget Hearing for the Division of Mental Retardation Services
Video...
THIS HEARING WAS THE DAY AFTER THE 5.7% RATE CUTS
WERE INITIATED...Click Here |
Escape! from Tennessee's DD centers...Old site, but very informational...Click Here |
The states response to the People First letter...Click Here |
Disability Days on the Hill Rally...Click Here |
Legislative Monitor-Medicaid Home & CB Service Programs: Data Update...Click Here |
The State of Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration
Division of Mental Retardation Services Annual Report
July 1, 2005 – June 30, 2006...Click Here |
Ruling by the Appelate court on the Arlington Judges refusal to approve
the settlement agreement that called for a closure plan for ADC...Click Here |
The Norris Deposition for the waiting list agreement...Click Here |
Bredesen Highlights record-HIGH RAINY DAY FUND IN 2006...Click Here |
Fulfill the Promise for Tennesseans with Developental Disabilities...Click Here |
Tennessee 2007-2008 fiscal year budget...Click Here |
DMRS reduces primary funding...Click Here |
Middle Tennessee Settlement Agreement...Click Here |
Stop Medicaid Cuts...Click Here |
ADC and CBDC cases: People First letter sent 1-23-08...Click Here |
Emory Valley Center needs local support as a result of the state cuts...Click Here |
ISP Cost Review Process...Click Here |
DAMAGE CONTROL!!!! The heat is on...Click Here |
DAMAGE CONTROL!!!! The heat is on attachment...Click Here |
Behavior services protocol for services...Click Here |
Physical Therapy services protocol for services...Click Here |
Nursing services protocol for services...Click Here |
Occupational Therapy services protocol for services...Click Here |
Speech Language services protocol for services...Click Here |
Orientation and Mobility services protocol for services...Click Here |
Nutrition services protocol for services...Click Here |
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On 1-25-08, the state sent an email to each provider entailing the
new main waiver pay rates effective 1-1-08. The new rates are
simply a 6.1% decrease in the frequency (hourly, quarterly, daily,
etc.) pay rate and reportedly will supersede the 6.1% across the
board cuts that were scheduled to take place through the present
fiscal year. Essentially, each provider will finish each month with
the same amount of money. However, we must wonder if the state
will increase or give back the 6.1% at the beginning of the new fiscal
year or will each provider have to endure the 6.1% decrease in pay
rate in addition to the proposed budget/service cuts that are planned
to be effective as the new fiscal year rolls around. |
Overview of the waiver program...Click Here |
DMRS cuts could hurt state's most vulnerable...Click Here |
DMRS fraud case, perhaps a direction of where the funds are going...Click Here |
Transcript of DMRS budget hearing...Click Here |
