News and Events
Printer friendly | 
Email-a-friend
Congress Extends Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) Funding
August 11, 2010
Congress has passed an extension of Federal Medicaid funding that President Obama is expected to sign as soon as possible. This bill will assist The Homestead and other providers of services to people with disabilities the ability to provide Medicaid-funded services in this tough economic climate.
"This is great news for the state of Iowa," Steve Muller, Executive Director of The Homestead, said. "If the Medicaid funding was not extended, The Homestead and other providers would face severe funding shortages causing a reduction of services for Iowans and increased unemployment for those currently serving individuals with disabilities. Fortunately, this extension in funding means that we can continue critical supports that increase independence, assist in effective communication and provide support and guidance to keep families together.
The enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) was originally enacted through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which provided $87 billion to state Medicaid programs. The enhanced funding was set to expire at the end of this year, putting financial pressure on programs in states already facing extreme budgetary hardships.
The bill provides for an additional $16.1 billion nationally in enhanced FMAP funding through the end of June 2011. While the final bill includes amounts that steps the funding down each quarter, states will receive a 3.2 percent FMAP increase from January through March 2011 and a 1.2 percent FMAP increase from April through June 2011.
This supplemental funding is not intended to last forever, but this extension gives Iowans some additional time to plan," Muller said. "These are challenging times for everyone. We applaud the leadership taken by our legislators."
Medicaid provides supports to nearly everyone served by The Homestead.
About The Homestead
The Homestead is a private, non-profit organization that provides innovative solutions for over 150 children and adults with autism, their families and allied professionals. Services are provided in the community, in homes and in a unique agriculture based campus program. Autism is a neurological disorder that severely hinders the way information is gathered and processed causing problems in communication, learning and social skills. It occurs in roughly 1 of every 110 births.
For more information, contact
Steve Muller
Executive Director
1625 Adventureland Dr., Suite B
Altoona, IA 50009
p515.967.4369
f888.228.8476
e
