Louisiana

This new interactive online tool provides the latest key data for each state’s Medicaid program and the population it serves, allowing for easy comparisons of one state to any other state or to the nation as a whole, on a selection of important indicators. Utilizing figures from the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured and drawn directly from statehealthfacts.org, this tool provides customized figures and tables that can be easily printed as fact sheets, emailed or saved.

The 50-state annual survey of budget conditions and Medicaid cost containment actions in FY2005-06 shows that all states implemented and planned more Medicaid cost-containment actions, but are also implementing expansions as the gap between Medicaid spending growth and state tax revenue narrowed.

This newly released biennial study verifies that low-income people with disabilities are experiencing a national housing affordability crisis. The Priced Out in 2004 study compares the monthly SSI income of more than 4 million Americans with disabilities to the fair market rental rates for efficiencies and modest one-bedroom apartments in every housing market in the country. Review more facts, figures and examples about housing and the national rent increases which greatly exceed SSI Benefits.

This is the fifth national survey of the direct-care workforce published by the National Clearinghouse on the Direct Care Workforce. It examines public policy actions taken by states to strengthen the direct-care workforce, and updates information collected in prior surveys. Responses were received from 38 states, representing a 76 percent return rate. The report contains data tables with survey results and details national initiatives pertaining to the direct care workforce.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the unique needs of people with disabilities must be surveyed and responded to. If you’re seeking help, review our collection of resources, initiatives and written material about available assistance and supports.

Dr. Margaret Giannini, Director of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office on Disability needs our help to locate hurricane survivors who were placed in nursing homes and other restrictive facilities. HHS is enlisting our help so they can work with HUD to get these folks back out of the nursing homes and into temporary housing in the community. The attached memo details ways you can send specific information about survivors.

The Dept. of Education is accepting requests for grant supplements from RSA-funded Centers for Independent living that are involved in serving persons with disabilities displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Awards range from $150,000 to $300,000. Applications are due by September 23rd and should arrive on form ED 524.

This website is a comprehensive evolving resource on information for people with disabilities who need help and also information for those who want to help and need to know how. The page includes numerous links to websites, agencies and experts that can offer assistance.

Although consumer direction is a growing trend in publicly supported HCBS programs across the states, we know relatively little about how this approach is implemented in the states. This national study aims to describe the role of consumer direction in publicly funded family caregiver support services and HCBS programs with a family caregiving component. This report addresses three questions with the intent of informing policy discussions.

Under Independence Plus Medicaid programs, states must assure that necessary safeguards have been taken to protect the health and welfare of persons receiving services. A key component of participant-direction includes individualized backup planning to ensure that essential supports are available in situations that pose a risk of harm to the participants. These examples are instructive to other states that are considering Independence Plus applications.