Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities

How is California educating relevant parties on this important new health care reform law? Please see two examples of state-wide outreach, a presentation on the changes that the Act will result in as well as a six month summary on the changes that have occurred thus far.

The Medicaid program is a major payer for long-term services and supports (LTSS) in the United States, accounting for 40 percent of total spending for long-term services and supports. This brief highlights two important aspects of operations in states that affect access to LTSS in the community: efforts to provide accurate and timely information to consumers, and procedures to make Medicaid eligibility determinations quickly and efficiently.

Explore this brief for information on the main trends to emerge from the latest Medicaid expenditures and participant data for the three main Medicaid HCBS programs: (1) optional 1915(c) HCBS waivers, (2) the mandatory home health benefit, and (3) the optional state plan personal care services benefit. It also presents 2009 findings on the policies used in these three programs, including eligibility criteria, provider, service and waiting list data.

How is California helping youths with disabilities to connect with needed supports and services as they transition to work or postsecondary education? Explore several presentations and toolkits put out by the California Health Incentives Improvement Project (CHIIP) that aim to facilitate the transition process for these youth. May be replicable by other states seeking to assist similar populations.

How does the state of California help their youth with disabilities to reach their future education and career goals? The Youth Leadership Forum is a five day program that provides information on everything from technology to resource agencies, and helps participants to create a "Personal Leadership Plan" and interact with leaders in the State and Nation. To learn more, explore their website and workbooks for facilitators and students.

Youth with disabilities experience an extreme sense of social isolation, which comes out of not sharing a collective disability identity, and disability pride. YO! will assist youth with disabilities to learn about the disability rights movement, disability history, disability pride, disability organizing and advocacy. To learn more, explore the attached website and outreach material.

In March 2010, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). This historic piece of legislation presents significant opportunities to improve access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans. This is particularly true for homeless people and people at risk of homelessness, whose options for accessing physical and behavioral health care services, health promotion services, and chronic disease management programs have historically been limited.

Are MIGs assisting individuals with disabilities to become employed? This report shows the continued impact of MIG funding in 2009. One of the most visible activities has been the development of state Medicaid Buy-In programs, under which workers with significant disabilities can “buy in” to Medicaid coverage when their earnings would otherwise make them ineligible. This report updates trends in the enrollment, employment, and earnings of participants.

“The Innovation Center” is a new engine for revitalizing and sustaining the Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP programs and ultimately to help to improve the healthcare system for all Americans. The Center, established by the Affordable Care Act, was given the flexibility and resources to rapidly test innovative care and payment models and scale up successful models. Visit the website to read about new initiatives such as Partnership for Patients. There is also an area to share your own ideas.

How is the state of Arkansas educating its consumers with disabilities and employers on important issues such as how to maintain your health benefits and work and why employing individuals with disabilities is a smart business choice? Attached are two examples of articles in the state that provide information. This entry serves as a good example for other states wanting to enhance their MIG outreach materials.