To: Individuals and Organizations Representing Vulnerable Populations
From: ___________________, Member of Ad Hoc Committee to Review the 2003 Minnesota Medical Assistance Waiver Request
THIS MATTER NEEDS YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION!
On March 31, 2003, the Department of Human Services published the Minnesota Asset Transfer Limit Section 1115 Waiver Request in the State Register, to be submitted to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). You can obtain a copy of the complete waiver request at http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/HealthCare/waivers/default.htm. DHS states that comments must be received by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4, 2003. As the time for response is very short, we ask you to consider this to be an URGENT matter.
An Ad Hoc Committee of legal aid attorneys and members of the private bar recently met to try to understand this proposal. Attached are the comments of the Ad Hoc Committee that have been prepared for review by the Elder Law Governing Council. We believe these comments address the most serious problems in the proposal. Obviously, we are in the early stages and the scope of the issues has yet to be fully determined.
We believe it is critical for individuals and interested organizations to submit a written objection to the waiver. The quality of the objection at this point is less important than the quantity. It would be best if each organization crafts its own written response on its letterhead. Any response should be sent to:
Mr. Thomas Scully
Administrator for The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
314-GHHH
200 Indianapolis Avenue Southwest
Washington, D.C. 20201
Email: tscully@cms.hhs.gov
Phone: (202) 690-6726
Further, any correspondence sent to CMS should be copied to:
Ms. Kathleen Vanderwall
Department of Human Services
444 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155-3852
Telephone: (651) 282-3720
Fax: (651) 215-9453
E-mail: kathleen.vanderwall@state.mn.us
Organizations are encouraged to mobilize their individual members to send e-mails and letters as well.
In addition to a written response, it is critical that organizations forward this information to their lobbyists. Attorney Julian Zweber is trying to coordinate responses and we would encourage lobbyists for organizations to contact him at 651-646-4354. If you have any questions, please contact me. We would value your further comments and feedback.