Elder Law

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MPLP 2003 Training Schedule

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The MPLP Index
This quarterly index reports surprising statistics about poverty-related issues. The Index has been a feature since the beginning of the MPLP eNewsletter. The Index is researched and compiled by MPLP's Housing Law attorney, Jim Schaafsma. The poverty statistics in the Index are a timely reminder of how important the work of Legal Services attorneys and staff is in assisting those in need.

Housing Task Force at Higgins Lake: Cheryl Wabeke (WMLS - Muskegon), Susan Schoppa (WMLS - Big Rapids), Karen Tjapkes (WMLS - Kalamazoo), Dolores Trese (WMLS - Holland), Dan Bonner (WMLS - Muskegon), and Elizabeth Wharton (LSSCM - Ann Arbor).

To view more photos from the Northern Task Force Meetings, click here.

Democratic Legislators Announce New Task Force on Long Term Care
Alison Hirschel, MPLP Support -- In early April, House Democratic leader Dianne Byrum announced the formation of a Task Force seeking strategies to improve the delivery and lower the cost of long term care services.

Governor Signs Bill Requiring Development & Distribution of Uniform Complaint Form Alison Hirschel, MPLP Support
Public Act 3 of 2003 requires the creation and distribution of a uniform complaint form for nursing home residents with simple directions for filing complaints with CIS, the Department of the Attorney General, Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service, and the State Long Term Care Ombudsman.

Home & Community Based Waiver Program Update
Alison Hirschel, MPLP Support -- Governor Granholm announced that she intends to reopen the Home and Community Based Waiver Program and that she considers it a priority for the Department of Community Health.

New Director of the Office of Services to the Aging Not Yet Named
Alison Hirschel, MPLP Support -- The governor has not yet appointed the new director of the Office of Services to the Aging, housed within the Department of Community Health.

Governor Names New Medicaid Director & Reorganizes DCH
Alison Hirschel, MPLP Support -- Governor Granholm named Paul Reinhart to serve as the New Medicaid Director and Deputy Director of the Medical Services Administration.

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F A M I L Y   L A W

Child Support Payments to be Administratively Redirected
Lynelle Morgan, MPLP Support -- The Michigan Support and Parenting Time Enforcement Act has been amended to allow for the administrative assignment, redirection, and/or abatement of child support under certain circumstances.

New Enforcement Procedures for Uninsured Health Care Expenses
Added to Friend of the Court Act Lynelle Morgan, MPLP Support
The Legislature has added new enforcement procedures to allow a party to file a complaint for nonpayment of uninsured health care expenses with the FOC.

FOC Must Initiate Enforcement Upon Receiving a Complaint of Custody or Parenting Time Violations Lynelle Morgan, MPLP Support
Effective December 1, 2002, the Friend of the Court Act was amended to require an FOC office to initiate custody and parenting time enforcement if it receives a written complaint of a custody or parenting time order violation.

MiSDU Assumes Responsibility for Child Support Payments
Lynelle Morgan, MPLP Support -- The Michigan State Disbursement Unit (MiSDU) has formally taken over the responsibility for receiving and disbursing individual child support payments in Wayne County. Other regions will follow over the next several months.

Parties May Now Opt Out of Friend of the Court Services
Lynelle Morgan, MPLP Support -- Effective December 1, 2002, the Friend of the Court Act was amended to allow parties in a domestic relations matter to decline involvement of the FOC.

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LOW INCOME HOUSING WEBSITE OF THE QUARTER

The LIHWQ revealed is ruralhome.org, the site of the Housing
Assistance Council, an organization dedicated to addressing the housing
needs of low income persons living in this country's rural areas. It
provides technical assistance, training, and seed money loans to low
income rural housing sponsors and developers. The website contains a
wealth of basic and detailed information on rural housing issues,
including the programs of the USDA's Rural Housing Service.

Low Income Housing Briefs Jim Schaafsma, MPLP Support

Rural Housing Preservation Jim Schaafsma, MPLP Support -- A discussion of some of the issues involved in the preservation of federally assisted multifamily rural rental housing, drawn from materials prepared by the Housing Preservation Project in St. Paul, Minnesota. HPP has been involved in low income rural (as well as HUD-assisted) housing preservation advocacy around the U.S. and is a great and generous resource for work in this area.

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P U B L I C   B E N E F I T S

HIPAA Implementation Lisa Ruby, MPLP Support -- Health plans, hospitals, doctors and other health care providers around the country must now comply with new federal privacy regulations.

Medicare Waiting Period Lisa Ruby, MPLP Support -- Individuals found eligible for Social Security disability benefits currently have to wait two years before becoming eligible for Medicare benefits.

Drug Testing Turned Down Again Lisa Ruby, MPLP Support -- A divided 6th Circuit affirmed U.S. District Judge Victoria Roberts' order halting drug testing of FIA applicants. (Marchwinski v. Howard, Case No. 99-10393).

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T E C H N O L O G Y

Breaking the Chain (Letters) Scott Trudeau, MPLP Support -- Chain letters (the traditional variety) have been around since at least the 19th century. Typically they purported to pass on good luck, avoid bad luck or were pyramid scheme scams. The cheap and fast nature of electronic mail has provided fertile grounds for the chain letter to rapidly evolve.

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C L I N I C

MPLP-Clinic: New Case Filings & Updates Tana Lin, MPLP Clinic

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