Policy alerts, briefs, letters & papers

ADAPT is a group of self-advocates working for civil rights for people with disabilities. Follow the link to see their arguments and evidence in support the Community Choice Act. The Act would establish a national program of community-based attendant services and supports, regardless of a person’s age or disability, and allow them to choose where they receive services. Materials include talking points, summaries, links to the bills, and updates on status and actions related to the Act.

Medicaid currently fills in the gaps in Medicare’s benefit package for 8.8 million enrollees with limited income and resources (dual eligibles). Shifting aspects of this financing to the Federal government could save states money and create opportunities for better care management and coordination. Data tables show how much each state could save if certain financing roles were shifted.

Three researchers use data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation to estimate the expense of a mandatory personal assistance services (PAS) benefit under Medicaid for persons with low incomes, low assets, and significant disability. They conclude that the cost would be much lower than estimated by the Congressional Budget Office. They also argue that this step would help eliminate the institutional bias of Medicaid.

Are we on the brink of a revival of interest in managed long-term care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities? Four states’ experiences in experimenting with managed care are examined here, along with stakeholders’ views on these efforts. The report looks at goals, methodologies, and similarities and differences between programs. It concludes by looking at implications for other states.

The largest and fastest growing group of Social Security disability program beneficiaries is people with psychiatric disabilities. The paper finds that combining evidence-based supported employment with mental health services could reduce the rate of disability and enable those already disabled to gain employment, potentially saving personal and government money. Four policy recommendations are given to achieve this goal.

New York has 12 long-term care (LTC) programs: two residential and ten community-based. Data from all are compiled here with the goal of informing policymaking and addressing challenges to the state’s Medicaid LTC programs. An overview of current programs and a snapshot of data such as enrollment and spending are also presented. The first chapter takes a look at the whole system and four other chapters offer data on the largest programs in terms of people served and dollars spent.

Meant for individuals with disabilities and entities that have obligations under disabilities law, the handbook provides basic information about disability rights and resources for finding out more. The book is in a Q and A format while the website is organized by topic. Employment, services and programs, public accommodations, housing, education, transportation, and technology and communications are all discussed.

This May 2008 presentation by Mary DeRoo of the Elder Services of Merrimack Valley in Massachusetts describes the risk management system they use that manages risk while maximizing consumer choice and control.

Recognizing caregivers' needs, many federal and state lawmakers have spent the past several years introducing legislation to provide supports to caregiving families. Unfortunately, fiscal crises and other pressing social concerns have meant that few of these proposals have actually passed or been enacted. Trends in caregiver legislation introduced in 2007 and 2008 are summarized and those that have been successful are highlighted.

As it becomes increasingly clear that a vigorous effort toward reforming the nation’s health care system will be an important part of the policy landscape in the near future, the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS) seeks to ensure that health care reform efforts fully consider the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. This brief outlines NASDDDS position on this important issue.