Hello,

As promised on the call last month, attached are comments drafted by the HCBS Advocacy Coalition on the Request for Information (RFI): Federal Government Interventions To Ensure the Provision of Timely and Quality Home and Community Based Services.

The Coalition is led by Alison Barkoff with the Center for Public Representation. The comments can be used as a model for DD Councils also interested in sending in their own comments. The Coalition believes that it is important to submit responses to this both because there are some HCBS proposals that might be considered by the new Administration, but also because several of the questions are focused on strategies to address problems identified by HHS' OIG with health, safety, welfare and fraud in HCBS. Alison is more than happy to answer any questions on the comments. Her email is Alison Barkoff xxxxxx@cpr-ma.org.

The Request for Information is at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/11/09/2016-27040/medicaid-program-request-for-information-rfi-federal-government-interventions-to-ensure-the. Comments must be submitted by than 5 p.m. on January 9, 2017 for consideration. The Federal Register notice is also attached.

Regards,

Cindy