Gov of Idaho cutting funding to Idaho Epilepsy foundation.

[Junebug]

I got an email this am from the E. foundation of Idaho about the cuts.

Governor Otter has recommended that funding for epilepsy services in Idaho be cut from this year's budget. We need you to contact your legislator to help preserve these crucial services.

Since 1971 the State of Idaho has provided $70,000 in funding for much needed epilepsy services the Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho provides through a grant with the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Governor Otter has recommended that these funds be cut from this year's budget. These funds enable the Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho to provide cost-saving and effective services to some of our most vulnerable citizens. In particular, theses funds have provided services targeted towards people with epilepsy living in rural areas of our state. People with epilepsy in rural areas often lack access to the latest in healthcare practices and specialist who treat epilepsy. In addition, many people with epilepsy cannot drive and those in rural areas whom lack public transportation have limited access to needed information, educational and support services. For over 27 years our services have improved access to comprehensive, coordinated health care and related services.

During these difficult economic times the benefits of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Services appropriations remain part of a solution rather than a budget item to consider eliminating. The programs referenced below have consistently shown to both meet the needs of people with epilepsy and save the state needed revenues.

In FY 2008 this grant helped us to serve 1,367 individuals. Our grant is crucial to our being able to continue to provide direct services to people with epilepsy and their families. Direct services include Information and Counseling, Access to Medical Treatment and Service Coordination. In addition, the Epilepsy Foundation provides Community, School and Employer Support and Education to increase awareness and acceptance of epilepsy. These services help people to get and keep employment, prevent ambulance trips to emergency rooms, avoid disruptions in classrooms, and improve personal and public safety.

Our programs truly make a difference for people. A survey of FY 2008 program participants indicates that 80% felt the service they received was useful and, perhaps more importantly, 71% felt that the service improved their quality of life and/or understanding of epilepsy.

Of primary concern is our ability to continue to enable people with epilepsy to access the medical treatment they need. Epilepsy is unique in light of the grave consequences of treatment failure. When a person can not access their needed treatment there is increased potential for breakthrough seizures resulting in more costly interventions (ambulances, emergency room visits, additional doctors visits and monitoring, loss of driving privileges, work etc.) . In addition, seizures have the potential to be life-threatening, and can endanger the individual and others, particularly if they occur without warning, while the individual is engaged in the various activities of daily living such as driving. Thus it becomes a matter of both patient and public safety.

We recognize that state dollars need to be used wisely; yielding cost savings while improving the lives of our citizens. We are confident that the services offered through the Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho's Comprehensive Epilepsy Services meet these criteria. For example, a seizure breakthrough resulting from eliminating or reducing funding for medications currently offered through the Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho may result in the program's participants increased reliance upon an ambulance and emergency rooms at substantially higher costs than medications. If hospital admittance is necessary, the cost increases dramatically. In the case of the indigent patient, which represents a large percentage of the people served by the Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho, the cost is incurred by the government.

We thank you in advance for contacting your legislator asking them to preserve the funding necessary for these programs. If you have any questions or need additional information please contact the Epilepsy Foundation Idaho at xxx-xxx-xxxx.

I can't tell you how freaking mad this makes me. I will for sure be writing a letter to my Legislators about this.

[brain]

It is such a shame, many other States are
suffering the same situation --> whether
it is the Epilepsy Foundation, Epilepsy
Foundation Affiliates, Epilepsy Independent
Organizations, etc ...



Just when we needed it the most and the
ADA had passed the law to extend such aid
for people with Epilepsy and health care.

*sigh*

You can bet there will be a lot of protesting!

[candeee_sss]

Hey everyone,

Here is an easy link on how to contact your legislator

I am not allowed to post links yet. I will try to spell it out
www.congressmerge.com/onlinedb/

It has their phone #'s, email addresses, etc

[CHEROKEE09]

I know I don't live in Idaho now, but I used too, and I am as you said really freaking
mad. What is wrong with the government? I like to see them live with Epilepsy all of their lives, and take all of those meds, see they like dealing with this medical disorder and pay for meds and find excellent neurologist for Epileptics. the foundation needs that money. to help us

[hawke86]

I agree with you guys.