Dispatch from the GA: Senate HHS Appropriations

Senate Health and Human Services Appropriation is meeting right now to hear appropriation bills.  The Arc of North Carolina just presented on the reason to fund direct service dollars to people with developmental disabilities in independent supportive housing in Wake, Mecklenburg, Rowan and Buncombe counties. The funding would serve 31 people living in these apartments.  The second presentation was a funding request for Tender Healthcare.  This is a day care center in Raleigh which serves children who are medically fragile.  Senator Walter Dalton just spoke to the need to fund Tier 1 CAP/MR-DD slots.  It is expected that all of these bills will pass out of committee today.  These bills will then be considered as the Senate puts together its budget.