Date:    8/26/04 7:12:49 PM Pacific Daylight Time

From:   McDonaldDandS

To:       James.D.Toews@state.or.us

CC:      Mike.J.Maley@state.or.us

On behalf of all the people still on the waitlist, thank you for your reply.

Back on 7/28 I also asked: "how much has been returned each year since the Brokerage system began?"  We see several pots of money:

1) how much has been returned from "unused plan dollars" that individuals didn't spend?

2) Gary Weeks was very clear in his presentation at the DHS Hearing -- and we all know -- that community based services are significantly cheaper for the State.  I'm also aware that when many individuals were transferred they were eligible for a lower amount through their plan with the brokerages -- including those with Voc-only, dual waivered, and family support dollars.  This would include how much has been saved from transferring care to the community -- and limiting the amount these workers can be paid through the brokerage rate guidelines?

3) How much has been saved through lower administrative costs at brokerages, and lower salaries/benefits for PAs -- as well as layoffs of county caseworkers through this process?

4) How much has the State saved from transferring individuals to brokerages who have been limited in access to services through the base plus tool?  And also, cuts in services based on the "Service Levels" which were originally designed to guide individual service plans, and NOT to determine eligibility.

We don't expect answers to these questions overnight, but believe they should be answered by September 3.  Thank you.

David McDonald

DAWG