It’s a really complicated world……all of us want to decrease the federal debt, but how can we when so much is needed? Increased spending on the borders and illegal immigration control is at the top of the “Rights” list, while taking care of our poor and disabled stay at the top of the “lefts” list. In my world it’s a no-brainer. Supporting people that are some of societies most vulnerable is the right thing to do and I am glad HR 1586 was signed into law yesterday.

The law included a six month extension of higher Medicaid federal matching funds for states – a major contribution towards some of the drastic slashes in mental health coverage in Arizona.

Recent budget slashes (I prefer that term over cuts as I feel it’s much more descriptive) in the state’s healthcare system for the poor have forced many people to search for alternatives to afford their medications. Some are going to Canada, while some have been fortunate to be able to get discounts directly from the pharmaceutical companies. I applaud the efforts of some of the drug companies to help and I wish they would all step up.

While illegal immigration and calls to enforce the border by sending in troops occupies the headlines, our state’s most vulnerable citizens are doing the best they can just to survive.  In my world they take priority over someone who has illegally crossed our borders to look for a better way of life.  Helping disabled and seriously mentally ill people is not only money well spent, it’s the “right” thing to do!

How Did Your Member Vote?

View the House roll call vote on final passage of HR 1586

Both McCain and Kyle voted no when the bill went through the senate.

Read further details on the provisions in HR 1586 designed to support state Medicaid programs into 2011.

2009 federal poverty levels have been extended until May 31, 2010 – thank goodness for now. But, given the poor economy the levels may drop and more people could loose their benefits because of it.
It’s all explained in this most recent article from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services below.

Extension of the 2009 Poverty Guidelines Until at Least May 31, 2010

[ Federal Register Notice, January 22, 2010, (initial extension of guidelines until March 1) — Full text ]
[ Prior Poverty Guidelines and Federal Register References Since 1982 ]
[ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ]
[ Further Resources on Poverty Measurement, Poverty Lines, and Their History ]

Congress has taken action to keep the 2009 poverty guidelines in effect until at least May 31, 2010.

Congressional actions on this matter have been in response to a decrease in the annual average Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) for 2009, projected during 2009 and announced on January 15, 2010 (see http://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi_01152010.pdf, Table 1A).  In the absence of legislative change, this decrease — the first since the poverty guidelines began to be issued in 1965 — would have required HHS to issue 2010 poverty guidelines that were lower than the 2009 poverty guidelines; that would have led to the “reduction in eligibility” referred to in the Congressional explanatory language quoted below.  Congress took several actions on this matter:

1.  On December 19, 2009, the Congress enacted and the President signed the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-118), which included a provision affecting the poverty guidelines.  Section 1012 of this law (as originally enacted, before subsequent amendment) stated that:

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall not publish updated poverty guidelines for 2010 under section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)) before March 1, 2010, and the poverty guidelines published under such section on January 23, 2009, shall remain in effect until updated poverty guidelines are published.

The Congressional Record (House) (December 16, 2009, p. H15370) provided the following explanation of this Congressional action in Pub. L. 111-118:

Section 1012 includes a provision to freeze the Department of Health and Human Services poverty guidelines at 2009 levels in order to prevent a reduction in eligibility for certain means-tested programs, including Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and child nutrition, through March 1, 2010.

A Federal Register notice about this initial extension of the 2009 poverty guidelines was published on January 22, 2010. (See Federal Register, Vol. 75, No. 14, January 22, 2010, pp. 3734-3735.)

2.  On March 2, 2010, the Congress enacted and the President signed the Temporary Extension Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-144), which included a provision affecting the poverty guidelines.  Section 7 of this law amended Section 1012 of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010, by replacing “March 1, 2010” with “March 31, 2010”.  The effect of this was to extend the 2009 poverty guidelines until at least March 31, 2010.

3.  On April 15, 2010, the Congress enacted and the President signed the Continuing Extension Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-157), which included a provision affecting the poverty guidelines.  Section 6 of this law amended Section 1012 of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 (as amended by Pub. L. 111-144), by replacing “March 31, 2010” with “May 31, 2010”.  The effect of this was to extend the 2009 poverty guidelines until at least May 31, 2010.

We will provide updated information about the post-May-31 period when it becomes available.

The 2009 poverty guidelines figures that will remain in effect are given below.

NOTE:  The poverty guideline figures below are NOT the figures the Census Bureau uses to calculate the number of poor persons.
The figures that the Census Bureau uses are the poverty thresholds.

The 2009 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia
Persons in family	Poverty guideline
1	$10,830
2	14,570
3	18,310
4	22,050
5	25,790
6	29,530
7	33,270
8	37,010
For families with more than 8 persons, add $3,740 for each additional person.

2009 Poverty Guidelines for Alaska
Persons in family	Poverty guideline
1	$13,530
2	18,210
3	22,890
4	27,570
5	32,250
6	36,930
7	41,610
8	46,290
For families with more than 8 persons, add $4,680 for each additional person.

2009 Poverty Guidelines for Hawaii
Persons in family	Poverty guideline
1	$12,460
2	16,760
3	21,060
4	25,360
5	29,660
6	33,960
7	38,260
8	42,560
For families with more than 8 persons, add $4,300 for each additional person.

SOURCE: Federal Register, Vol. 74, No. 14, January 23, 2009, pp. 4199–4201

---

Go to Further Resources on Poverty Measurement, Poverty Lines, and Their History

Go to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Return to the main Poverty Guidelines, Research, and Measurement page.

Last Revised:  04/19/10

ASPE Home | HHS Home | Questions? | Contacting HHS | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | FOIA | Disclaimers | No FEAR Act The White House | USA.gov | Flu.gov

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services – 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. – Washington, D.C. 20201

After attending the forum hosted by the Community Partnership of Southern Arizona last week I am no less concerned about what is going to happen to the covered benefits for the huge population of adults with serious mental illness that do not qualify for the state’s Medicaid system (AHCCCS) after July 1st.  The Assistant Deputy Director from the Arizona Health Services Division of Behavioral Health Services explained some of the impact the cuts would have and offered a few suggestions on how the impacts might be minimized.

“Thinking outside the box” was a phrase heard repeatedly and for many attending that answer was not enough to calm their fears. For a population accustomed to difficulties  finding appropriate mental health care that particular phrase has become a mantra.

One question about how the non-title XIX residents will be covered if they are currently in the Arizona State Hospital was never answered.

Of major concern to me is the misguided thought by some in Phoenix that people that are currently taking some of the more expensive, newer anti-psychotics, mood stabilizers and anti-depressants  can now be administered some of the older, less expensive drugs to save money.  What he forgot to say when talking about the older, less expensive medications is that they don’t work for some people.  Hence the reason for being prescribed the newer, more effective medications. Plus, the newer medications don’t have some of the debilitating side effects  that the older medications cause.  (Although, I must admit all of these medications do have some sort of negative side effect)

Even when a certain medication is successfully treating some of the symptoms today,  next week, next month or next year it may loose it’s efficacy and a new medication will need to be introduced; most likely a newer drug.

The state’s crisis system which had up until recently seen some positive advances is now experiencing limited funding as well.   It was suggested at the meeting that family members “step up” to the plate and do what they can to cover the shortages like manning all night crisis phone lines, etc.  on a volunteer basis.  Hum…….I guess that might work if their loved one isn’t in a crisis because their newly prescribed medication is working!