Senator Golden: Restorations Continue to the Budget for the Office of People WITH Developmental Disabilities

Brooklyn – State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn), today has issued a statement providing an update on the budget affecting the New York State Office of People with Developmental Disabilities:

“I am happy to report that there is news out of Albany this morning forecasting significantly less of a financial hit to our service providers caring for our most needy. I am proud to learn that a plan has been formulated that will make the total budget cut to the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities actually $14.2 million, instead of the originally projected $90 million. While the ultimate goal is to have an OPWDD budget without any reductions, these agencies who care for our disabled New Yorkers can better sustain this cut.

As I said on the floor of the State Senate the night of the budget vote, our State must continue to discuss funding agreements for the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities. Now, knowing that the difference is millions of dollars, we can be assured that the doors of these agencies will remain open. Our programs, our services, and our groups homes will be able to continue to serve New Yorkers with special needs, and we owe that to each and every one of them and their families.”

The OPWDD Budget Implementation Plan Includes the following:

*$40 Million- New York State share ($80 Million with federal share) from the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General audit recoveries and agency self-disclosure payments

*$32 Million - Savings derived from the development of lower cost, more individualized options, for people with developmental disabilities

*$6.6 Million - Savings achieved by a refocus on Medicare enrollment

*$6 million – Reduction of payments for room and board supplemental payments currently around $56 million per year (starting on 10/1/13)

*$2.6 Million - Savings through a reduction in the administrative portion of rates for ICF, IRA Res Hab and Day Hab (to be implemented on 10/1/13)

$3 Million – Savings from transitioning individuals from sheltered workshops to integrated community employment (Effective 10/1/13)