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Bill Removing ‘Mental Retardation’ From Law Clears U.S. Senate |
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By Michelle Diament
August 10, 2010
Before leaving for a summer break, Senators unanimously approved legislation to replace the term “mental retardation” with “intellectual disability” in some areas of federal government.
The bill, known as “Rosa’s Law,” would impact health, education and labor policy at the federal level. Under the measure, individuals with disabilities would retain the same rights they currently have, but the terminology would be swapped as laws and documents come up for revision over the next several years. As a result, the measure is not expected to incur any cost.
Now, the bill must go before the House of Representatives and gain the support of the president to take effect.
“The bill is simple in nature but profound in what it will do when it is enacted,” said Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., one of the bill sponsors. “Rosa’s Law will make a greatly-needed change that should have been made well before today and it will encourage us to treat people the way they would like to be treated.”
The move in Congress to revise terminology comes as nearly every state now favors the term “intellectual disability.” What’s more, some federal agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention already use the new language.
Rosa’s Law is named for Rosa Marcellino, a Maryland girl with Down syndrome. Similar legislation proposed in the House is known as the Elizabeth A. Connelly Act in honor of a former member of the New York Assembly who was influential in pushing for services for those with disabilities. |
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U.S. Senate passes extension of enhanced Medicaid federal assistance |
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August 4, 2010
The U.S. Senate has passed the extension of the enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP). Ohio stands to receive about $513 million from the increased federal match through June 2011.
House Resolution 1586, the legislation containing language to extend the current Medicaid match - ‘Enhanced Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage (eFMAP)’ – paid by Ohio’s County Boards of Developmental Disabilities was passed August 4. The six month extension passed with a vote of 61 to 38, and continues the funding which would have expired at the end of December 2010.
The bill itself still needs a final Senate vote and agreement by the U.S. House before it can go to the President for signing. (UPDATE: On August 10, the U.S. House passed H.R. 1586, the bill that contained the extension language, by a vote of 229 to 173)
County Boards typically pay 40 cents for every waiver dollar, while the federal Medicaid system pays 60 cents. As part of the stimulus program through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the federal government earlier this year had agreed to pick up 70 cents for every Medicaid dollar for states. According to the Ohio Association of County Boards (OACB), the extra 10 cents on the dollar has helped offset a $94 million budget cut that County Boards of Developmental Disabilities received during the 2009-2011 biennium budget.
DODD Director John Martin comments,
“With Ohio’s current budget outlook, it is imperative to secure as many federal dollars as possible in order to continue to meet the needs of Ohio’s more than 80,000 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. It is particularly gratifying to note that Ohio’s stakeholders in the developmental disabilities community were strongly advocating for this extension, and through these efforts, played an active role in its passage.”
Article courtesy of the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities
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Results of the May 4, 2010 Election - County Boards of DD Levies, Statewide |
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Of the ten Ohio County Boards of Developmental Disabilities that had levies on the ballot May 4, 2010, eight passed and two failed. Results are as follows:
Clermont County, 0.9 mill, replacement – PASSED, 51.2% FOR
Fayette County, 2 mills, renewal – PASSED, 69.5% FOR
Hancock County, 1.9 mills, renewal – PASSED, 70.6% FOR
Holmes County, 2.5 mills, renewal – PASSED, 61.4% FOR
Lake County, 3.4 mills, replacement – PASSED, 64.2% FOR
Madison County, 1.3 mills, renewal – PASSED, 64.8% FOR
Medina County, 1.12 mills, replacement & .5 mill increase – FAILED, 52.3% AGAINST
Morrow County, 1 mill, additional – FAILED, 58% AGAINST
Paulding County, 1 mill, renewal – PASSED, 63% FOR
Ross County, 3 mills replacement & .8 mill increase- PASSED, 58.2% FOR
The results are unofficial and will be certified by the respective county Board of Elections offices and the Secretary of State’s office later this month. |
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Historic Day At Ohio's Statehouse |
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Throughout Ohio’s history, there are many dates that have produced major changes for people with developmental disabilities. Add July 8, 2009 to that list. That is the day that Ohio Governor Ted Strickland signed into law Senate Bill 79, which removes the words “mental retardation” from the Ohio Revised Code and from the Ohio Department of MRDD.
On Friday, August 28, Governor Strickland re-enacted the signing with more than 30 people in attendance – including the individuals who began the process. Several self-advocates from Athens County asked their then-Representative Jimmy Stewart to introduce a law striking the words “mental retardation.” Now Senator Stewart was to able to push the legislation through the Senate. With some help from his House replacement, Representative Debbie Phillips, the legislation sailed unanimously through.
(Pictured are (seated) Governor Ted Strickland, OACB Trustee President Robert Milliken, (standing) Senator Jimmy Stewart, and OACB Executive Director Dan Ohler.) |
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Tim Schaffer
Gerald Stebelton