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Governor’s Task Force on Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI Trust Fund and Funding Sources

 

 

This is intended to focus discussion on the task which is set forth in the Governor’s Executive Order 01-02 as follows:

 

“Explore sources of funding for a TBI Trust Fund to be used to provide support and assistance to survivors which will help them in their efforts to reclaim their lives, develop their abilities to function more independently and enable them to be integrated into and make their contribution to society.”

 

Discussion Issues:

·      Considering a Trust Fund (Review Public Policy Brief from TBI State Grant Program)

·      What has been done in other states (Attachment A).

·      The most recent Trust Fund legislation passed, June 2002, Colorado (Attachment B)

·      An example of funding sources from citations, Kentucky (Attachment C)

·      Louisiana’s Mission Statement and overview of what their Trust Fund Provides (Attachment D)

 

Public Policy Brief from TBI State Grant Program

 

Evaluating State Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund Legislation:

Some Questions to Consider

A number of States have established trust funds to finance traumatic brain injury (TBI) services and supports. Some States are actively pursuing and others are considering TBI trust fund legislation. A number of important issues should be carefully considered prior to committing to the establishment of a TBI trust fund. Particularly important is an awareness of potential negative implications that might arise from the establishment of a trust fund. For example, would a TBI-only trust fund alienate key stakeholders (e.g., cross-disability coalitions) whose support will be needed for other initiatives or would a TBI trust fund limit State appropriations to programs that serve individuals with TBI and their families?

This policy brief presents questions TBI stakeholders should address when considering whether to pursue State trust fund legislation or when developing and evaluating proposals. Questions have been organized into five categories: 1) Decision Process; 2) Financing; 3) Administration; 4) Functions; and, 5) Oversight. Decision Process includes questions related to organization, coalitions, priorities, and responsibility. The section on Financing addresses matters related to securing and sustaining financial support to meet trust fund objectives. Administration addresses issues associated with establishing and operating a program that will ensure excellent customer service and efficient use of resources. The fourth section, Functions, should help identify the kinds of services and supports a fund might finance. The final section raises the important issue of oversight—what oversight mechanisms should be established to ensure solvency and that resources are used to meet the needs of individuals with TBI and their families?

 

Decision Process

1. What stakeholders (e.g., government, cross-disability organizations, individuals, and community service providers) would be involved in evaluating the feasibility of pursuing a trust fund?

2. How and by whom would these stakeholders be identified?

3. How would decisions be reached (e.g., consensus agreement)?

4. To whom would the stakeholders report or provide recommendations?

5. How would the public policy objectives of a trust fund be identified and prioritized?

6. What information/data would be used to evaluate the feasibility of developing a trust fund?

7. Would a TBI trust fund alienate some stakeholders that may be helpful in pursuing other systems changes? If yes, how would this issue be addressed? If no, how could broader stakeholders help advance a trust fund proposal?

 

Financing

1. What would be the source of revenue (e.g., traffic fines, driving under the influence, State income tax, vehicle license charge) for the trust fund?

2. Would the trust fund be able to accept private contributions?

3. Would the funding source(s) be sufficient to meet needs?

4. How stable/predictable are the funding sources (i.e., are they tied to a sector of the economy that is subject to fluctuation)?

5. Would contributions to the trust fund be time limited?

6. Would the trust fund require periodic reauthorization by the State legislature?

7. How would trust fund solvency be reviewed/addressed to ensure services and supports are not cut and that individual and/or family needs continue to be met?

8. Would a trust fund overtly or covertly result in resources being diverted away from other TBI/disability programs?

 

Administration

1. If funded from fines, how would fines be assessed and collected? Would the contribution to the trust fund be a required percentage of a certain class of fines or would it be at a court’s discretion? If the latter, how would court officers be trained/educated about their role in assessing/collecting penalties for the trust fund?

2. How would the trust fund allocate resources or fund services? Would the trust fund make an annual contribution to a given State agency or would individuals apply directly to the trust fund for assistance? Would the trust fund reimburse approved service providers for costs? How would the reimbursement schedule be determined and adjusted?

3. How would eligibility be determined?

4. Would the fund be restricted to a specific age or disability group?

5. Would the application process be cumbersome?

6. What appeals mechanism would be available to adjudicate disputed claims?

7. What would be the annual administrative costs of the trust fund and would these costs be paid from the trust fund?

8. Would the trust fund be administered through an existing program or a new program?

9. What training, technical assistance, education and outreach would be available to individuals, families, advocates, service providers, and other stakeholders who would seek to access the trust fund?

10. Would the trust fund operate in a person-centered or person-directed fashion?

11. Would the trust fund operate in a manner to meet the unique needs of diverse populations?

12. Could the trust fund be reprogrammed to provide/finance other State services? If yes, what authority (e.g., approval of the Governor, agency administrator, trust fund advisory board, or State legislature) is required?

 

Functions

1. Would the trust fund support only TBI services and supports, any services and supports needed by individuals with TBI?

2. What is the purpose of the proposed State trust fund? For example, would the trust fund cover hospital expenses for the uninsured, medical rehabilitation, durable medical equipment, cognitive rehabilitation, employment services, housing assistance, transportation assistance, assistive technology, respite care, personal attendant services, an array of services that individuals and families could choose from depending upon need, support of a State surveillance system, or prevention and public awareness?

3. Would the trust fund finance the most needed services, as identified by individuals with TBI, families, and service providers?

4. What percentage of the State’s population of individuals with TBI and their families would receive assistance from the trust fund? Where would those not eligible for trust fund assistance access/finance services?

 

Oversight

1. Would the trust fund have an independent advisory board that includes TBI stakeholders, including individuals with TBI, families, advocacy organizations and service providers?

2. What would be the relationship between the trust fund advisory board and the trust fund?  Would the trust fund’s administrator be obligated to listen to/implement the recommendations of the advisory board?

3. How would members of a trust fund advisory board be selected/appointed, and for what length of service?

4. What entity will be responsible for auditing the trust fund?

5. What mechanism will be established to evaluate the effectiveness of the trust fund in meeting the needs of individuals with TBI and their families?

 

Approach to Task Force:

·        How should the work be divided?  Divide questions among the group?  Form separate sub-groups to answer sub-topics?

·        Should people from the outside be invited to serve? 

·        Would having guest speakers help?

·        Schedule Task Group Meetings and create a work plan.


Attachment A

 

Dedicated Trust Funds for Persons with Brain

and/or Spinal Cord Injuries

 

STATE and YEAR OF INCEPTION

SOURCES

FUNDS COLLECTED

SERVICES PROVIDED

CONTACT

ALABAMA

1993

$100 Fine on DUI convictions

$1.6 M Annually

Community based services including:

·         Pre-vocational

·         Housing

·         Respite

·         Resource coordination

·         Recreation services

Administered by:

 

Division of Rehabilitation Services, with oversight by the Impaired Drivers Trust Fund Advisory Board.

 

Department of Rehabilitation Services

P.O. Box 19888

Birmingham, AL

35219

(205) 290-4408

ARIZONA

1992

The original legislation instated a $2 fee on speeding, but the system has now moved to a uniform system of surcharges.

$1.5 M Annually

Provides:

 

·         Rehabilitation services

·         Research

·         Education

·         Prevention

Administered by:

 

Crystal Snyder

Executive Director

Governor’s Council on Spinal and Head Injuries

10640 N. 28th Dr., Suite B-102

Phoenix, AZ  85029

 (602) 863-0484

CALIFORNIA

1986

$2 Surcharge on 1st offense seatbelt violations

 

$5 surcharge on second offense

$500 K Annually

Provides funding for four pilot programs to demonstrate effectiveness of  a coordinated, continuum of care approach to meet the need of adults with brain injuries.

Administered by:

 

Marita McElwain, Program Manager

Department of Mental Health

1600 9th Street, Room 250

Sacramento, CA  95814

(916)-654-3168

FLORIDA

1988

8.2 % on all civil traffic related penalties

$60 fine for DUI / BUI

$1 on every temporary vehicle license tag

$13 M Annually

·         Regeneration research

·         Rehabilitation

·         Transitional living

·         Case management

Administered by:

 

Tom Delilla, Administrator

Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program

2002 Old St. Augustine Rd., Bldg. A

Tallahassee, FL  32399

Phone:  (904) 488-8064

GEORGIA

1998

The fund adds 10% on to each DUI issued

Projected to be $2 million dollars per year at full capacity.

Not yet determined.

The legislation gives power to the Brain and Spinal Cord Trust Fund Authority, which is to be appointed by the Governor.  The fund is administered by:

 

Department of Human Resources

State of Georgia

2 Peachtree Street

Atlanta, GA  30303

KENTUCKY

1998

This fund places fines on selected moving violations and drunk driving

Not yet available.

Case management, Community Residential Services, Respite, Day Programs, Companion Services, Psychological Services, Prevocational Services, Supported Living and Therapies.

The bill established a Kentucky Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund Board to administer the fund.  The legislation outlines who is to be appointed.

LOUISIANA

1993

$5 fee on reckless driving

 

$15 DUI

$1.5 M Annually

To address gaps in services for persons with brain and spinal cord injuries

Administered by:

 

Don Tubb,

Program Manager

THI/SCI Trust Fund

8225 Florida Blvd.

Baton Rouge, LA  70806

 

(225) 925-3502

MISSISSIPPI

1996

$4 on moving violations

 

$25 DUI surcharge

$2 M Annually

·         Durable medical

·         Respite

·         Emergency care

·         Transitional assistance

·         Prevention

·         Education

·         Transitional living

Administered by:

 

Department of Rehabilitation Services

PO Box 1698

Jackson, MS  39215-1698

NEW MEXICO

1996

$5 fee on a state issued citations

$ 1.4 M Annually

Gap and Interim services as needed including:

 

·         Durable Medical

·         Emergency housing

·         Medications

·         Therapies

·         Respite

·         Transportation

·         Respite

Administered by:

 

New Mexico Department of Health

Long Term Services Division

Hard Runnels Bldg.

PO Box 26110

110 St. Francis Drive

Santa Fe, NM  87502-6110

 

Phone:  (505) 827-2499

TENNESSEE

1993

Additional fine for DUI

$500K-$800K

Establishes a registry and develops a state plan for a comprehensive system of services.

Administered by:

Jean Doster

TBI Program Director

Dept of Health

Phone:  (615)741-1230

TEXAS

1989

$25 fine on DUI

 

$5 fine on moving violations

$10 M Annually

·         Equipment

·         Post acute rehab

·         Case management

 

Administered by:

 

Mel Fajikus,  Program Specialist

Texas Rehab Commission

4900 W. Lama Blvd.

Austin, TX 78751-2399

 

(512) 424-4133

WEST VIRGINIA

1998

Annual appropriation made by the Legislature

Not yet collected.

·         Rehabilitative therapies

·         Case Management

·         Attendant care

·         Home Modifications

·         Equipment

·         Family supports

Administered by:

 

Division of Rehabilitation Services

 

For more information contact:

Brain Injury Association, Inc.

105 North Alfred Street

Alexandria, VA  22314

703.236.6000  www.biausa.org

 

Creating a better future through brain injury

prevention, research, education and advocacy

(Posted: May 2000)

 


Attachment B:  Colorado Trust Act 2002

________

Capital letters indicate new material added to existing statutes; dashes through words indicate deletions from existing statutes and such material not part of act.

 

HOUSE BILL 02-1281

 

BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Saliman, Borodkin, Boyd, Coleman, Daniel,

Groff, Hodge, Jahn, Mace, Madden, Marshall, Plant, Romanoff, Tapia,

Tochtrop, Veiga, Vigil, Weddig, and Williams S.;

also SENATOR(S) Owen, Dyer, Epps, Hanna, Hernandez, Pascoe,

Perlmutter, Phillips, Tupa, and Windels.

CONCERNING THE CREATION OF THE COLORADO TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

BOARD, AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, INCREASING CERTAIN

MOTOR VEHICLE FINES TO PROVIDE MONEYS FOR THE COLORADO

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY TRUST FUND.

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

 

SECTION 1. Part 2 of article 1 of title 26, Colorado Revised

Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF THE FOLLOWING NEW SECTIONS to read:

 

26-1-202. Definitions. AS USED IN SECTIONS 26-1-202 TO 26-1-211,

UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES:

(1) "BOARD" MEANS THE COLORADO TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY BOARD CREATED PURSUANT TO SECTION 26-1-203.

 

NOTE: This bill has been prepared for the signature of the appropriate legislative

officers and the Governor. To determine whether the Governor has signed the bill

or taken other action on it, please consult the legislative status sheet, the legislative

history, or the Session Laws.

 

(2) "PROGRAM" MEANS THE SERVICES PROVIDED PURSUANT TO

SECTIONS 26-1-204 AND 26-1-205.

(3) "TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY" MEANS INJURY TO THE BRAIN

CAUSED BY PHYSICAL TRAUMA RESULTING FROM BUT NOT LIMITED TO

INCIDENTS INVOLVING MOTOR VEHICLES, SPORTING EVENTS, FALLS, AND

PHYSICAL ASSAULTS. DOCUMENTATION OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY SHALL BE BASED ON ADEQUATE MEDICAL HISTORY, NEUROLOGICAL EXAMINATION, INCLUDING MENTAL STATUS TESTING OR NEUROPHYSICAL EVALUATION.  WHERE APPROPRIATE, NEUROIMAGING MAY BE USED TO SUPPORT THE DIAGNOSIS. A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY SHALL BE OF SUFFICIENT SEVERITY TO PRODUCE PARTIAL OR TOTAL DISABILITY AS A RESULT OF IMPAIRED COGNITIVE ABILITY AND PHYSICAL FUNCTION.

(4) "TRUST FUND" MEANS THE COLORADO TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

TRUST FUND CREATED IN SECTION 26-1-210.

26-1-203. Colorado traumatic brain injury board - creation -

powers and duties. (1) THERE IS HEREBY CREATED THE COLORADO

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY BOARD WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN

SERVICES. THE BOARD SHALL EXERCISE ITS POWERS AND DUTIES AS IF

TRANSFERRED BY A TYPE 2 TRANSFER.

(2) THE COLORADO TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY BOARD SHALL BE COMPOSED OF THIRTEEN MEMBERS INCLUDING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S DESIGNEE, THE PRESIDENT OF A STATE BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OR THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT OR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S DESIGNEE, AND THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WHO SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, WITH THE CONSENT OF THE SENATE:

(a) A NEUROLOGIST WHO HAS EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH PERSONS

WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES;

(b) A NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST WHO HAS EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH

PERSONS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES;

(c) A SOCIAL WORKER OR CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST EXPERIENCED IN

WORKING WITH PERSONS WHO HAVE SUSTAINED TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES;

(d) A REHABILITATION SPECIALIST SUCH AS A SPEECH PATHOLOGIST,

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST, OR PHYSICAL THERAPIST WHO HAS EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH PERSONS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES;

(e) A NEUROSURGEON OR NEUROPSYCHIATRIST WHO HAS EXPERIENCE

WORKING WITH PERSONS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES;

(f) A CLINICAL RESEARCH SCIENTIST WHO HAS EXPERIENCE EVALUATING PERSONS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES;

(g) TWO PERSONS WHO ARE FAMILY MEMBERS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES OR INDIVIDUALS WITH A TRAUMATIC BRAIN

INJURY; AND

(h) TWO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH

PERSONS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES.

(3) BOARD MEMBERS SHALL NOT BE COMPENSATED FOR SERVING ON

THE BOARD, BUT MAY BE REIMBURSED FOR ALL REASONABLE EXPENSES

RELATED TO SUCH MEMBERS’ WORK FOR THE BOARD.

(4) INITIAL APPOINTMENTS TO THE BOARD SHALL BE MADE NO LATER

THAN MARCH 1, 2003. THE TERMS OF APPOINTED BOARD MEMBERS SHALL

BE THREE YEARS; EXCEPT THAT THE TERMS OF THE APPOINTED MEMBERS

WHO ARE INITIALLY APPOINTED SHALL BE STAGGERED BY THE GOVERNOR TO END AS FOLLOWS:

(a) FOUR MEMBERS ON JUNE 30, 2004;

(b) THREE MEMBERS ON JUNE 30, 2005; AND

(c) THREE MEMBERS ON JUNE 30, 2006.

(5) NO MEMBER MAY SERVE MORE THAN TWO CONSECUTIVE TERMS.

(6) THE APPOINTED MEMBERS OF THE BOARD SHALL, TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, REPRESENT RURAL AND URBAN AREAS OF THE STATE.

(7) THE BOARD SHALL ANNUALLY ELECT, BY MAJORITY VOTE, A

CHAIRPERSON FROM AMONG THE BOARD MEMBERS WHO SHALL ACT AS THE PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE BOARD.

(8) (a) THE BOARD SHALL PROMULGATE REASONABLE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES PERTAINING TO THE OPERATION OF THE TRUST FUND.

(b) THE BOARD MAY CONTRACT WITH ENTITIES TO PROVIDE ALL OR PART OF THE SERVICES DESCRIBED IN THIS PART 2 FOR PERSONS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES.

(c) THE BOARD MAY ACCEPT AND EXPEND GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS FOR OPERATION OF THE PROGRAM.

(9) ARTICLE 4 OF THIS TITLE SHALL NOT APPLY TO THE

PROMULGATION OF ANY POLICIES OR PROCEDURES AUTHORIZED BY SUBSECTION (8) OF THIS SECTION.

 

26-1-204. Administering entity for services for persons with

traumatic brain injuries. (1) AN ADMINISTERING ENTITY UNDER CONTRACT PURSUANT TO SECTION 26-1-203 MAY PERFORM ALL OR PART OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE, ELIGIBILITY, CASE MANAGEMENT, AND CLAIMS PAYMENT FUNCTIONS RELATING TO THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING:

(a) ASSURING TIMELY PAYMENT OF GRANTS OR REQUESTS, INCLUDING:

(I) MAKING AVAILABLE INFORMATION RELATING TO THE PROPER MANNER OF SUBMITTING A GRANT OR REQUEST FOR BENEFITS TO THE PROGRAM AND PROVIDING FORMS UPON WHICH SUBMISSIONS SHALL BE MADE;

(II) EVALUATING THE ELIGIBILITY OF EACH GRANT OR REQUEST FOR PAYMENT PURSUANT TO GUIDELINES ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD;

(III) NOTIFYING EACH APPLICANT, WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER RECEIVING A PROPERLY COMPLETED AND EXECUTED PROOF OF GRANT OR REQUEST,  WHETHER THE GRANT OR REQUEST IS ACCEPTED OR REJECTED;

(IV) ENSURING THAT EACH ACCEPTED GRANT OR REQUEST IS PAID WITHIN FORTY-FIVE DAYS AFTER ITS ACCEPTANCE;

(b) PAYING GRANT OR REQUEST EXPENSES FROM THE MONEYS IN THE TRUST FUND; AND (c) DETERMINING THE EXPENSE OF ADMINISTRATION AND THE PAID

AND INCURRED LOSSES FOR EACH YEAR AND REPORTING SUCH INFORMATION TO THE BOARD.

(2) THE ADMINISTERING ENTITY SHALL BE PAID IN COMPLIANCE WITH

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD.

(3) IF THE BOARD DOES NOT CONTRACT WITH AN ADMINISTERING

ENTITY TO PROVIDE ALL OR PART OF THE SERVICES DESCRIBED IN THIS PART 2 FOR PERSONS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL UNDERTAKE TO PROVIDE SUCH SERVICES TO THE BEST OF ITS ABILITY.

 

26-1-205. Services for persons with traumatic brain injuries - limitations - covered services. (1) APPROXIMATELY SIXTY-FIVE PERCENT OF THE MONEYS COLLECTED FOR THE TRUST FUND PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 42-4-1301 (9) (g) (IV) AND 42-4-1701 (4) (e), C.R.S., SHALL BE USED TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO PERSONS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES. SERVICES PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL BEGIN TO BE PROVIDED TO PERSONS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES NO LATER THAN JULY 1, 2004.

(2) TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE TRUST FUND, AN

INDIVIDUAL SHALL HAVE EXHAUSTED ALL OTHER HEALTH OR

REHABILITATION BENEFIT FUNDING SOURCES THAT COVER THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE TRUST FUND. AN INDIVIDUAL SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO EXHAUST ALL PRIVATE FUNDS IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM.

INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE CONTINUING HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS,

INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PURSUANT TO

ARTICLE 4 OF THIS TITLE, MAY ACCESS THE TRUST FUND FOR SERVICES THAT ARE NECESSARY BUT THAT ARE NOT COVERED BY A HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 10-16-102 (21), C.R.S., OR ANY OTHER FUNDING SOURCE.

(3) ALL INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING ASSISTANCE FROM THE TRUST FUND SHALL RECEIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES FROM THE DESIGNATED ENTITY PURSUANT TO SECTION 26-1-204 OR THE DEPARTMENT.

(4) THE BOARD MAY MONITOR, AND, IF NECESSARY, IMPLEMENT CRITERIA TO ENSURE THAT THERE ARE NO ABUSES IN EXPENDITURES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, REASONABLE AND EQUITABLE