MA Budget Cuts, Round 1
What follows is an expanded version of a summary of budget cuts that social service staff received via e-mail last month. There are addi-tional cuts not outlined here. Some specifics of the cuts mentioned here are still being worked out, and The Boston Globe is reporting today that the Swift administration is predicting additional significant cuts.
MassHealth Pharmacy Benefits The agreement between the Commonwealth and CVS, Walgreens, Osco, etc. is in effect until Oct 2. They will be honoring prescriptions until that date. Hearings to try to come up with an acceptable longer-term agreement are under-way. If patients are bringing you specific stories of being refused medications due to payment source, contact the CRC.
MassHealth Basic The long-term unemployed will lose their coverage ef-fective April 2003. Some limited groups of people will continue to receive bene-fits: EAEDC clients (including non-citizen households who are SSI eligible except for immigration status) and DMH clients with incomes below 100% FPL. The new eligibility regulations have not yet been promulgated, stay tuned for more detail.
Food Stamps - The Massachusetts State Food Stamps program allowed legal immigrants who were barred from receiving Federal food stamps due to immigration issues to receive assistance. FY'02 (last year) budget- $8.3m; FY '03 (current) budget- $1 m. Also includes provision to end the program November 30 although appropriated funds will run out before then- this represents an announcement of the legislature's intent to eliminate the program even if the economy improves. This is partially offset for some by the recent Federal Farm bill which contained provisions that expand eligibility for Federal Food Stamps for some affected groups, but there are still significant groups formerly assisted by State food stamps who are not elilgible for Federal food stamps. These include those with "PRUCOLĀ" status, elderly, non-disabled "Qualified"* immigrants, and younger "Qualified" immigrants during their first 5 years in the country.
Federal Food Stamps As part of the Farm Bill approved by Congress this Spring, Federal Food stamps eligibility is being expanded. Currently non-refugee/asylee "Qualified" immigrants were barred from receiving Food Stamps until they had worked for 40 quarters (10 years). As of April 2003, they are just barred for 5 years from the date of entry (refugees/asylees can receive benefits for their first 7 years in the country). Other categories that were previously not eligible and will be as of October 2002 include the following groups of "Qualified" immigrants who entered after 8/22/96: child under 18, disabled, and disabled elderly. Note these changes mean that these groups should be applying for Food stamps now (see accompanying article about food stamps).
*Qualified Immigrants Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders), Refugees, Asylees, persons granted withholding of deportation/removal, conditional entry (ein effect prior to 4/1/80) or paroled into the US for at least one year, Amerasian immigrants, Cuban/Haitian immigrants, Domestic Violence victims, Veterans, spouses and dependents, and Native Americans born outside of US.
PRUCOL= Permanently Residing Under Color of Law INS is aware of presence in the US, but has no plans to deport him/her. Nonimmigrants such as students and tourists do not qualify. Applicants for permanent resident and asylee status, individuals paroled into US for less than a year, and immigrants with temporary protected status are examples.
State TAFDC Under this program "Qualified" non-refugee/asylee legal immigrants who entered after 8/22/96 to receive STAFDC while barred from receiving TAFDC during their first 5 years in the country. Program eliminated entirely- they are barred for 5 years from entry (refugees/asylees can receive benefits for their first 7 years in the country). MIRA encourages advocates to make sure that families know that if there are family members who are citizens, or have passed the 5 year bar those family members can still receive assistance.
Children's Medical Security Plan This program was level-funded, but enrollment is up. This trend may lead them to close enrollment and/or cut benefits.
Citizenship Assistance Program Eliminated entirely. This is particularly devastating in light of the above-mentioned cuts. Progressing to citizenship is even more necessary for those legal immigrants who are losing much-needed benefits.
EAEDC, Prescription Advantage Both fully funded, for now.
Information adapted from materials from the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA), the Boston Globe and Health Care For All.
09/2002