Alright – so, I highly encourage every autism parent and provider to use their voice and always be in the know about current EIDBI policies and changes the state wants to make. If we are not at the table, we are on the menu. We need to be vigilant and alert about autism and our children. Recently, DHS sent as required by law comments regarding changes they want to make to EIDBI. Any changes that DHS wants to make to EIDBI usually goes to CMS for review and approval. CMS pays a percentage of this and has to approve the state’s plan amendments. Below are my comments on the proposed changes to EIDBI that I sent.
My name is Idil Abdull, I am an autism mom, retired advocate and an EIDBI provider. I have spoken on numerous occasions, with CMS offices in Chicago and Baltimore about Minnesota Medicaid agency’s inability to be inclusive. The changes Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is requesting as usual have no community or stakeholder input.
They will claim DHS EIDBI advisory council was consulted. Please remember this council has no access to the public, nor do we have access to them. DHS ensures the council meets behind closed doors and we have no ability to communicate with them. In a nutshell, they are used by DHS to justify their racial disparity creating policies and amendments.
I respectfully ask the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid to reject this SPA and ask DHS to ensure public input and collaboration is included. As we all know, Minnesota has some of the worst racial health and access disparities in the country, underhanded tactics like this EIDBI amendment is exactly why such horrible and shameful record exists here.
Furthermore, EIDBI statute 256B.0949, subd 8 (1 and 4) state stakeholder input and collaboration are a must. DHS is failing to follow state law and keeps changing EIDBI policies without any input or collaboration from stakeholders which should include parents, advocates and EIDBI agencies. Sadly, no one in Minnesota holds DHS accountable. I am hoping CMS will or at least ensure bias and conscious or sub-conscious racism does not prevail again.
Sincerely,
Idil Abdull – Somali Autism Mom and Retired Advocate
As usual, the above words do not reflect any candidate, agency, or committee.
Idil Abdull – Somali Autism Mom & Retired Advocate