Disability Groups Send Transition Team HCBS Policy Recommendations

From Transition Letter Attachment Sent by AAPD and a Coalition of Consumer Controlled Organizations (12/22/08):

Promoting Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)

 

Background:

 

·         Too many people with disabilities live in nursing homes and other institutions - declared ‘discrimination’ by Olmstead - since Medicaid requires institutional care, but not HCBS.

 

·         The Deficit Reduction Act allows money-saving waivers that enable people with disabilities to live in the community, provide supports to work, and enhance quality of life. 

 

·         There is not enough accessible, affordable, integrated housing for individuals with disabilities and individuals with disabilities are often isolated because of the lack of adequate transportation

 

·         Professionals and relatives traditionally make decisions "for" individuals with disabilities. Full participation in community life requires self-determination and consumer control.

 

Long Term Goals:

 

·         Shift Medicaid and Medicare funding to home and community-based services (HCBS) to promote community living. Increasing the FMAP to states, community-based, self-directed, peer-delivered, holistic care, and creating more community-based alternatives to costly Medicaid nursing homes and other institutions, will change the focus to independent living and participation.

 

·         Increase access to affordable, accessible, integrated housing for individuals with disabilities

 

·         Increase access to transportation for individuals with disabilities.

 

Short Term Goals:

 

·         Direct CMS to convene a summit with consumers, family members, and experts to establish principles, priorities and a timeline to design a Community Living Waiver for national use.

 

·         Work with Congress to:

o   Pass Senator Harkin’s Community Choice Act, to require states to offer community-based supports for Medicaid-eligible consumers so they may choose to live in their own home, as a cost-effective, community-based alternative to institutional care.

 

o   Provide tax incentives for building accessible housing and other buildings and include making infrastructure and public building accessible in all economic stimulus packages.

 

o   Pass the Community Living Attendant Services and Supports Act (CLASS) to promote independence.

 

·         Direct the Secretary of HHS and the Attorney General to make implementation of the Olmstead decision a priority through HHS’ OCR and the DOJ.

 

·         Assure the Executive Order on Olmstead implementation is followed and its scope is broadened.

 

·         Ask the National Governors Association and the National Conference of State Legislatures to work with your Administration to fully implement Olmstead and the Community Choice Act.

 

·         Direct the Secretary of HUD to develop a plan to end homelessness and provide adequate, safe, affordable housing for people with disabilities, and increase the number of Section 8 vouchers.

 

·         Increase investment in public transportation in rural areas where people with disabilities are often isolated and unable to participate in society or meet their needs of daily living.

 

·         Support States and localities to develop coordinated human services delivery systems, increase funding for United We Ride, and other resources for transportation-coordination, planning tools, and technical assistance.

Comments

[research paper writing]

Well, I have been reading your blog posts daily and the reason I come on your blog frequently is its compelling content… Regards…