Board Selects Hybrid Service Alternative
Plan to cut 20 percent of service in 2012 has most commuter routing remaining same, new local routing planned
Snohomish County, Wash. – In 2012, Community Transit’s commuter service will maintain much of its current routing with fewer trips, while local service will be restructured to serve higher ridership corridors. This afternoon, the agency’s Board of Directors voted 6-3 to approve a plan to cut Community Transit bus service 20 percent effective Feb. 20, 2012.
After a summer-long public comment process that included reviews of four proposed service plans, the board chose the so-called Hybrid Alternative, which combines the commuter routing proposed in Alternative I with the local routing of Alternative III, with some modifications. The board did not restore service on Sundays or major holidays.
Snohomish County Councilmember Dave Gossett, Lynnwood Councilmember Ted Hikel, Mountlake Terrace Mayor Jerry Smith, Snohomish County Councilmember Dave Somers, Mill Creek Mayor Mike Todd and Stanwood Mayor Dianne White voted in favor of the plan. It was opposed by Mukilteo Mayor Joe Marine, Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring and Gold Bar City Councilmember Steve Slawson.
Descriptions of the plan are available on the agency’s website, and the agency’s blog.
This fall, Community Transit will develop maps and schedules for each of the routes and will launch a public education effort early in 2012. While no specific trip times are available yet, what is known is there will be fewer trips on almost every route, bus frequency will be decreased and the buses will end service between 10 and 11 p.m. on weekdays. Currently the last weekday route finishes at about 1 a.m.
“It’s never easy to cut service because of the impacts on so many lives,” Gossett said. “We listened to the public’s input on this issue, and that guided our decision.”
The board looked at four alternatives – three that were presented to the public in June, and the Hybrid Alternative that was developed at the board’s direction after the initial public comment period on the original three alternatives closed in mid-July.
With the decision, Community Transit will cut about 20 percent of its service starting Feb. 20, 2012. The agency will save about $12 million with the service reductions. The number of jobs that will be eliminated has yet to be determined.
The service cuts are necessary because Community Transit’s sales tax revenue has fallen by more than 20 percent from the level it received in 2007, the last pre-recession year. Meanwhile, operating expenses such as fuel, supplies and labor costs have continued rise.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Governor's Committee on Disability & Employment
The Governors Committee on Disability Issues and Employment will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting on September 22, 2011 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. This is a great opportunity for individuals with disabilities to shares issues and concerns and share any ideas they may have for positive change. Click HERE for flier.
Please help spread the word.
Please help spread the word.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Medicaid Vision information
June 29, 2011
ATTN: Medicaid Vision Providers
Legislation Gives Medicaid Clients Access to Low-cost Eyeglass Lenses and Frames
Medicaid providers may now obtain low-cost eyeglass frames and lenses for Medicaid clients
who otherwise might not be able to afford vision hardware because of state budget cuts.
Legislation passed this year and signed by Governor Gregoire allows Airway Heights'
Correctional Industries Optical Center to continue making vision hardware for Medicaid
providers and patients. Under the law, providers can furnish the eyewear to Medicaid patients at
the same cost they pay the Optical Center. Prices are expected to range around $20 for a pair of
glasses.
The vision benefit budget cut was one of several changes affecting coverage for clients of the
Medicaid program ages 21 and older. None of the changes affected children’s benefits, which
are generally protected under federal Medicaid law. The cuts also did not change coverage of
eye or hearing exams for adults. Those remain covered by Medicaid.
Airway Heights Optical Center is directing provider inquiries to its Customer Care
Department at 1-888-606-7788. Staff there will help providers through the process.
More information about the bill and copies of the legislation are available on the Internet at:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5352&year=2011
Additional information also will be posted on the Airway Heights web page soon:
http://www.doc.wa.gov/facilities/prison/ahcc/default.asp
Providers are reminded that dispensing codes 92340-92342 are still valid codes and that
Medicaid will reimburse providers for dispensing the glasses.
Substitute Senate Bill 5352, was originally sponsored by Senators Jim Honeyford, R-15, Debbie
Regala, D-27, and Dan Swecker, R-20. It passed both chambers unanimously and was signed by
Governor Gregoire on April 18.
NOTE: Please do not reply directly to this Listserv message, as it is not monitored. If you have
feedback or questions, please select one of the options at
http://hrsa.dsh
ATTN: Medicaid Vision Providers
Legislation Gives Medicaid Clients Access to Low-cost Eyeglass Lenses and Frames
Medicaid providers may now obtain low-cost eyeglass frames and lenses for Medicaid clients
who otherwise might not be able to afford vision hardware because of state budget cuts.
Legislation passed this year and signed by Governor Gregoire allows Airway Heights'
Correctional Industries Optical Center to continue making vision hardware for Medicaid
providers and patients. Under the law, providers can furnish the eyewear to Medicaid patients at
the same cost they pay the Optical Center. Prices are expected to range around $20 for a pair of
glasses.
The vision benefit budget cut was one of several changes affecting coverage for clients of the
Medicaid program ages 21 and older. None of the changes affected children’s benefits, which
are generally protected under federal Medicaid law. The cuts also did not change coverage of
eye or hearing exams for adults. Those remain covered by Medicaid.
Airway Heights Optical Center is directing provider inquiries to its Customer Care
Department at 1-888-606-7788. Staff there will help providers through the process.
More information about the bill and copies of the legislation are available on the Internet at:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5352&year=2011
Additional information also will be posted on the Airway Heights web page soon:
http://www.doc.wa.gov/facilities/prison/ahcc/default.asp
Providers are reminded that dispensing codes 92340-92342 are still valid codes and that
Medicaid will reimburse providers for dispensing the glasses.
Substitute Senate Bill 5352, was originally sponsored by Senators Jim Honeyford, R-15, Debbie
Regala, D-27, and Dan Swecker, R-20. It passed both chambers unanimously and was signed by
Governor Gregoire on April 18.
NOTE: Please do not reply directly to this Listserv message, as it is not monitored. If you have
feedback or questions, please select one of the options at
http://hrsa.dsh
Medicaid Vision Coverage
STATE OF WASHINGTON
HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY
626 8th Avenue, S.E. • P.O. Box 45502 • Olympia, Washington 98504-5502
June 29, 2011
ATTN: Medicaid Vision Providers
Legislation Gives Medicaid Clients Access to Low-cost Eyeglass Lenses and Frames
Medicaid providers may now obtain low-cost eyeglass frames and lenses for Medicaid clients
who otherwise might not be able to afford vision hardware because of state budget cuts.
Legislation passed this year and signed by Governor Gregoire allows Airway Heights'
Correctional Industries Optical Center to continue making vision hardware for Medicaid
providers and patients. Under the law, providers can furnish the eyewear to Medicaid patients at
the same cost they pay the Optical Center. Prices are expected to range around $20 for a pair of
glasses.
The vision benefit budget cut was one of several changes affecting coverage for clients of the
Medicaid program ages 21 and older. None of the changes affected children’s benefits, which
are generally protected under federal Medicaid law. The cuts also did not change coverage of
eye or hearing exams for adults. Those remain covered by Medicaid.
Airway Heights Optical Center is directing provider inquiries to its Customer Care
Department at 1-888-606-7788. Staff there will help providers through the process.
More information about the bill and copies of the legislation are available on the Internet at:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5352&year=2011
Additional information also will be posted on the Airway Heights web page soon:
http://www.doc.wa.gov/facilities/prison/ahcc/default.asp
Providers are reminded that dispensing codes 92340-92342 are still valid codes and that
Medicaid will reimburse providers for dispensing the glasses.
Substitute Senate Bill 5352, was originally sponsored by Senators Jim Honeyford, R-15, Debbie
Regala, D-27, and Dan Swecker, R-20. It passed both chambers unanimously and was signed by
Governor Gregoire on April 18.
NOTE: Please do not reply directly to this Listserv message, as it is not monitored. If you have
feedback or questions, please select one of the options at
http://hrsa.dshs.wa.gov/contact/default.aspx. Your message will be delivered to the appropriate staff member
HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY
626 8th Avenue, S.E. • P.O. Box 45502 • Olympia, Washington 98504-5502
June 29, 2011
ATTN: Medicaid Vision Providers
Legislation Gives Medicaid Clients Access to Low-cost Eyeglass Lenses and Frames
Medicaid providers may now obtain low-cost eyeglass frames and lenses for Medicaid clients
who otherwise might not be able to afford vision hardware because of state budget cuts.
Legislation passed this year and signed by Governor Gregoire allows Airway Heights'
Correctional Industries Optical Center to continue making vision hardware for Medicaid
providers and patients. Under the law, providers can furnish the eyewear to Medicaid patients at
the same cost they pay the Optical Center. Prices are expected to range around $20 for a pair of
glasses.
The vision benefit budget cut was one of several changes affecting coverage for clients of the
Medicaid program ages 21 and older. None of the changes affected children’s benefits, which
are generally protected under federal Medicaid law. The cuts also did not change coverage of
eye or hearing exams for adults. Those remain covered by Medicaid.
Airway Heights Optical Center is directing provider inquiries to its Customer Care
Department at 1-888-606-7788. Staff there will help providers through the process.
More information about the bill and copies of the legislation are available on the Internet at:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5352&year=2011
Additional information also will be posted on the Airway Heights web page soon:
http://www.doc.wa.gov/facilities/prison/ahcc/default.asp
Providers are reminded that dispensing codes 92340-92342 are still valid codes and that
Medicaid will reimburse providers for dispensing the glasses.
Substitute Senate Bill 5352, was originally sponsored by Senators Jim Honeyford, R-15, Debbie
Regala, D-27, and Dan Swecker, R-20. It passed both chambers unanimously and was signed by
Governor Gregoire on April 18.
NOTE: Please do not reply directly to this Listserv message, as it is not monitored. If you have
feedback or questions, please select one of the options at
http://hrsa.dshs.wa.gov/contact/default.aspx. Your message will be delivered to the appropriate staff member
Friday, April 15, 2011
Updated Side by Side Budget Comparison
Click HERE for the updated 2011-2013 Side by Side Governor, House, & Senate Biennial Budget Comparison
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Governor/House side by side budget
HERE is the Governor-House budget side-by-side. The Senate should be releasing theirs this evening.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Arc of Washington State Action Alert
The House votes on their budget soon! Take Action!
Make your voice heard today!
The House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee has released their 2011-2013 biennial budget proposal. A public hearing was a held a few hours after the budget was released. The entire House will vote on the budget soon. You must act today!
We need to thank legislators for their hard work, as it has not been an easy task to keep critical programs funded, but many programs that serve people with developmental disabilities were reinstated. Also included in the budget is the transition of 149 clients from Residential Habilitation Centers (RHC). Five RHCs will be consolidated into three. There are issues around Employment/Day and Adult Day Health that you may want to address.
Please act now and thank your legislators for the good things they have done and share your concerns for areas that may not have fared as well. Remember to be courteous. You can respond to this Action Alert or call and leave your message for your legislators on the toll free hotline at 1-800-562-6000.
Make your voice heard today!
The House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee has released their 2011-2013 biennial budget proposal. A public hearing was a held a few hours after the budget was released. The entire House will vote on the budget soon. You must act today!
We need to thank legislators for their hard work, as it has not been an easy task to keep critical programs funded, but many programs that serve people with developmental disabilities were reinstated. Also included in the budget is the transition of 149 clients from Residential Habilitation Centers (RHC). Five RHCs will be consolidated into three. There are issues around Employment/Day and Adult Day Health that you may want to address.
Please act now and thank your legislators for the good things they have done and share your concerns for areas that may not have fared as well. Remember to be courteous. You can respond to this Action Alert or call and leave your message for your legislators on the toll free hotline at 1-800-562-6000.
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