February 2024

From the Council's Policy Director

Readers,

It's a busy and exciting time in the world of disability public policy in TN!

We hope we will see many of you at the upcoming in-person Disability Day on the Hill events next week, coordinated by our friends at the TN Disability Coalition (TDC).

We're tracking a number of bills in the state legislature that would impact Tennesseans with disabilities. The legislative process can move FAST. 

Today, we're spotlighting 4 bills on our radar. If you want to stay more plugged in to state legislative updates:

Let us know at tnddc@tn.gov if you have questions!

"Pathways to TennCare" (official bill title: TennCare for Working Individuals with Disabilities Act (SB2791 / HB2940).

  • Also known in other states as "Medicaid Buy In", this concept allows people who don’t financially qualify for Medicaid (TennCare here in TN) to “buy in” to the program. They pay monthly to access services only Medicaid offers. Examples of these services only offered by Medicaid and not traditional health insurance plans include:
    • Personal assistance services to help people with disabilities with activities like bathing, dressing and toileting) 
    • Help paying for assistive technology or home modifications. 
  • Without Medicaid buy-in options, the alternative for people who need those services is to go into poverty and enroll in Medicaid so they qualify financially. TN is one of only 4 states without a program like this. These programs are structured differently in different states so the details vary.
  • The Coalition is leading advocacy efforts on this bill, with support from some of our Council members. Visit the Music City Wheels website to learn more and get involved (to join this effort, fill out this form).
  • Learn more:

Creating a new "aging and disability" state department (official bill title: Tennessee Disability and Aging Act of 2024); SB2098/HB2089

  • Right now, aging services and resources are overseen by the TN Commission on Aging and Disability (TCAD). Disability services are managed by the TN Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD). This bill, proposed by Gov. Lee (part of the "administrative package"), would bring together aging and disability services under the same agency (though TennCare would still have a role in overseeing Medicaid-funded services for both groups.)
  • The proposed new Dept. of Disability and Aging brings opportunities to align the state’s policy efforts across the lifespan (housing, transportation, workforce, information & referral). It may also bring challenges, like maintaining expertise on disability groups, like intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), especially in the future when leaders may change.
  • Most of the bill language is very similar to the existing law that created DIDD, "Title 33", and the part of TN law that created TCAD. It brings those two sections together in a new part of the law: Title 52. Aging and disability advocates are reviewing the bill and submitting comments about it now.
  • Commissioner Turner of DIDD spoke to our Council at our meeting in January about the exciting opportunities that come with a big change like combining two agencies that serve groups with many overlapping and similar needs: Tennesseans with disabilities and aging Tennesseans. Common needs include long-term services and supports, affordable and accessible housing and transportation, using technology for support, and more.

Creating a new office of conservatorship management and registry (SB1921 / HB2516)

  • This bill would expand the current Office of Conservatorship Management in Davidson County to be a statewide resource in state government for best practices and neutral information about conservatorships (also known as "guardianships" in other states).
  • Right now there's no statewide data on how many people in TN have conservators, no training or guidelines for how to be a good conservator, and no tracking when a conservator is removed for abusing or exploiting someone in their care.
  • TN's Center for Decision Making Support is named as a required partner for the new office. (Read about the Center's history on our website.)

Adult-size changing tables (SB2484 / HB2690 )

  • This bill language supports the existing grant program under the TN Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities that provides funds to businesses and local governments to install adult-size changing tables in their public restrooms. It puts some of the guidelines about the types of tables families need, like ensuring tables are powered and height adjustable and installed in family restrooms.
  • Additionally, through the budget ("appropriations") process, the grants will increase from up to $5,000 to up to $10,000 in effort to reach more applicants.
  • Tennessee is leading the nation in this effort, with other states now following our lead. Learn more about this issue on our website here, including how TN State Parks and the TN Department of Transportation are adding tables to parks and rest areas across the state.

---
If you can't attend Disability Day on the Hill in person next week, you can email or call your legislators any time.

Even when the General Assembly is not in session (typically May-December), you can contact your elected state officials and meet with them in your own community. It is their job to listen to you if you are a voter living in their district.

Your story matters - share it. You don't have to have all the answers to policy questions or have a specific bill or solution to a problem in mind. There are no "right" things to say - just tell them how an issue or law impacts your life and family.

Since starting at the Council in 2010 as a policy intern, I have seen many examples of positive change happening because a legislator heard from just a few voters about a certain issue.

So - reach out and let your elected officials know what is important to you!

-Emma Garton
Director of Public Policy

Disability Policy Corner (Feb. 2024)

State policy news, events and feedback opportunities

Federal policy news, events and feedback opportunities*

(Sources for federal legislation and events include policy newsletters from The Arc U.S., Association of University Centers on Disabilities, Family Voices, the Administration for Community Living and more)

Study for people with disabilities who get SSI: help increase access to ABLE Accounts

Do you ...

  • Currently receive SSI? (Supplemental Security Income)
  • Have a disability that occurred before you turned 26 years old?

If so, you can participate in a study led by a researcher at the University of TN Knoxville and funded by the Social Security Administration. They need people with disabilities who get SSI to join an hour-long online conversation about disability savings accounts (ABLE accounts). Those who take part in the study will receive a $30 Amazon gift card. Visit tinyurl.com/ablestudy to learn more.
--
Visit the TN Treasury Department's ABLE TN webpage here to see if you are eligible to start saving money today in an ABLE account.

New training for healthcare providers: how to best serve patients with intellectual & developmental disabilities

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) often:

  • get healthcare that is worse than healthcare provided to people without disabilities
  • live shorter lives than people without disabilities
  • have chronic medical and psychiatric issues

This project, funded by Wellpoint (formerly Amerigroup) and led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center, will train healthcare workers about providing good healthcare for patients with I/DD.

The project needs doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and mental health professionals who accept Wellpoint Medicaid insurance and who currently care for adults with IDD to participate in video-conferencing sessions. These sessions will meet for an hour twice a month, for six months starting in May 2024. The sessions take place at noon Central Time/1:00 Eastern. Participants will be paid, and the sessions will count for continuing medical education. Dr. Beth Malow is the Vanderbilt site director. For more information and to sign up, please contact: projectECHO@VUMC.org - share this with healthcare providers who may want to participate.