[Education and Welfare] Missouri Council of the Blind Press Release(fwd)

[Julie Chinn]

This is very informative, Chris.  Thank you !
Julie

-----Original Message-----
From: ew-bounces at moblind.org [mailto:ew-bounces at moblind.org] On Behalf Of
Christopher Gray
Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2012 3:46 PM
To: Education and Welfare Committee
Subject: [Education and Welfare] Missouri Council of the Blind Press
Release(fwd)

The following press release, prepared by Denny and me, was just sent to 150 
MIssouri news outlets. We also faxed a copy to Speaker Tilley.

Chris

House Speaker Tilly Stacking the Deck Against Blind Medicaid Recipients

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Missouri Council of the Blind is disappointed to learn from the
Springfield 
News-Leader today that House Speaker Steven Tilley, Republican, 106th
District, 
is refusing to allow House supporters of Medicaid coverage for the blind to 
serve on the budget conference committee.  The conference committee will 
negotiate to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of
the 
2013 budget.

The House transferred Medicaid funding for the blind to fund higher
education 
instead. The Senate replaced Medicaid funding for the blind but without 
removing any funding the House had allocated to higher education.

"We hoped that in conference, the House would be more supportive of blind 
people," said Denny Huff, President Missouri Council of the Blind. "At this 
point, we are beginning to wonder if there is an agenda behind the scenes to

directly hurt or penalize blind Missourians.

It was reported yesterday in the Springfield Leader that Speaker Tilley 
inquired of Representative Sara Lampe, D-Springfield, the ranking Democrat
on 
the House Budget Committee, if she would support restoration of Medicaid 
funding for the blind in Conference. After indicating that she would support

such restoration, she was told she would not be assigned to this committee.

"The way we see things right now," said Christopher Gray, Executive Director
of 
the Council "the House got what it wanted, fully funded higher education.
The 
Senate didn't change this. For Speaker Tilley to insist on still penalizing 
2,857 blind people, many of whom are elderly and/or have multiple
disabilities, 
defies our understanding. We strongly urge Speaker Tilley and the House of 
Representatives to take a more reasoned and compassionate approach to the
2013 
budget and fiscal year."

The Missouri Council of the Blind hopes the people of Missouri will call 
Speaker Steven Tilley, (573) 751-1488, and urge him to act with balance and 
fairness to all in appointing the House members of the Budget Conference 
Committee>


----------------------------------------
Christopher Gray, Executive Director
Missouri Council of the Blind

5453 Chippewa
St. Louis, MO 63109
Phone:     (314) 832-7172
Toll-free: (800) 342-5632
Fax:       (314) 832-7796