© 2010 Evelyn Hawthorne, NCOTA Government Relations Consultant 
Lawmakers Return to Convene “Short Session” May 12
The North Carolina State House and Senate gaveled in the 2010 session of the General Assembly at noon May 12. Both Senate President Pro Tempore Marc Basnight (D-Dare) and House Speaker Joe Hackney (D-Chatham) emphasized the need to get to the true reason for the short session – making necessary adjustments to the budget. The economy’s somber tone and the likelihood of the fiscal mess to fester into 2011 clearly weighed heavily on lawmakers, as was evident in recent press availability by the Senate leadership in the following link courtesy of The Greensboro News and Record:

http://www.news-record.com/blog/53964/entry/89903
Roll Out of Senate Budget Plan Due Week of May 17
The Senate’s plan to have its version of the budget reviewed, approved and moved over to the House of Representatives by May 20 appeared on track May 14. Most Senate Appropriations Subcommittees – including the Subcommittee on Health and Human Services -- met May 14 to review the spending portions of what will become the Senate’s adjustments to the 2009-2011 budget. The language directing substantive changes – special provisions -- to the budget were not yet released. The information published today does not specifically address changes to OT, PT and ST services, as did Gov. Perdue’s proposal; however, this is the first published draft of the “money report.” The special provisions will provide more information. NCOTA has advocated for preservation of funding for Medicaid OT, PT and ST services to low income adults.
Items of interest to OT in the draft report are as follows: 
  [Download PDF version of this update for list of budget issues relevant to occupational therapy practitoners and occupational therapy service recipients.] 

NCOTA continues to work with colleagues in PT and SLT to communicate the consequences of rehabilitation therapy cuts on Medicaid beneficiaries’ outcomes. To read the Senate’s draft report, please view  
http://www.ncleg.net/documentsites/committees/SenateAppropriationsHHS/2010%20Short%20Session/2010-05-14%20Meeting/Subcommittee%20Report%20and%20Special%20Provisions/Draft_Senate_Subcommittee_Report_HHS_2010_05_014.pdf  
To identify your legislator or for more information about the North Carolina General Assembly, please visit www.ncleg.net .