Below is my response. Along with the addressees mentioned below, it was also sent to 3 different news outlets, Senator Jill Vogel and Delegate Beverly Sherwood.
Tell me what you think in the comments section below this blog post...
Greetings Dr. Kalanges , Mrs. Dallas and Commissioner Romero,
I received the response to the petition with over 5800 signatures at the time of printing (currently over 6800) that was sent to you recently. To be honest, I was disappointed that NONE of the issues mentioned in the petition cover letter were addressed. I was hoping for some clarity on the matter.
1) "In conducting an evaluation of our services, we determined that virtually all of the children seen have some form of insurance; Medicaid, FAMIS, or commercial insurance."
That is a statement which has no bearing to the issues presented. Agreed, alot of the families have some sort of coverage for their children... that's how they got to the CDC in the first place! Medicaid covered the testing/evaluation for my sons DD Waiver eval. It doesn't change the fact that families needing these services in the future will need to A) Take 3 entire days off of work to make the trips to Harrisonburg for the 3 needed visits. Gas expense, loss of 3 days wages, specialized child care for TWO of the three days are all to be included in that concern. B) The potential trauma to the patient in question. A lengthy trip down, 6 hours (conservatively) of evaluation and then a lengthy trip back. Uncomfortable and exhausting for a NT (neurotypical) person. TRAUMATIC for people with special needs.
2) "We also found that our contractors were seeing significantly more children, when compared with the local health department Child Development Evaluation model."
Less centers + absorption of multiple CDCs to those already overburdened centers = longer waiting lists and even more so overburdened centers. How can this be more efficient? More people in less centers doesn't make sense at all from an efficiency standpoint.
3) "As the funding for programs has tightened, VDH has been identifying opportunities to continue to meet pediatric developmental needs in the most efficient and cost-effective manner."
The most pressing question about that statement is this: It is known that the VDH was told to make budget cuts, but not HOW and WHERE to make such cuts. Why did you go for special needs children? What was passed over in favor of the CDCs? I'm hoping that your budget for the past few years is a matter of public record, because I would most certainly like to see it. Additionally, the families which have no choice but to find a way down to JMU may be utilizing Logisticare. So... medicaid will be billing the VDH (your budget) to either A) pay for gas OR B) pay for gas AND the driver provided thru Logisticare AND maintenance on the vehicles. And C) potentially pay for lodging. Not to mention your "private contractors" who almost certainly dont fall under the state employee pay scale. I'd be willing to bet that they earn a bit more than state employees. Apparently, what you are "saving in the front end, you are paying for in the back end"
So, here is what closing the CDC will REALLY accomplish: Blue collar families who CAN'T afford the time-off/gas/specialized child care will NOT BE ABLE go to Harrisonburg to have their children evaluated. These children will not be able to receive the essential services needed to help them grow to be capable / well adjusted / productive citizens of this state. You are potentially ruining the future for numerous children and adults in the state of Virginia, and the lives of their families as well.
Please keep in mind that these closures impact A LOT of people. Intellectually Disabled as well as Developmentally Disabled. ALL wonderful people and ALL deserving of an opportunity to improve/grow/participate in their communities. Closing the CDC will keep that from happening for many.
The good part is that YOU have the power and the opportunity to fix that. I'm certain that you made these initial changes, not knowing the adverse effect it would have upon the population. And I'm doubly certain you would NEVER want to negatively impact special needs children and adults. Am I correct? I sincerely hope so.
I appreciate your time and eagerly await your response!
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