Health Care Reform: People With Disabilities Left Behind?
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June 25, 2009
Jefferson City, MO – As the national health care debate heats up, people with disabilities are wondering where they fit into the reform proposals when it comes to long-term care. This week marks the 10th anniversary of the Olmstead U.S. Supreme Court decision, which affirmed the Americans with Disabilities Act's mandate to give individuals with disabilities the right to live in the most "integrated setting." The intent was to allow them to live in their communities and not in nursing homes. Despite the Act's success in raising funding for long-term care, nearly 5,000 Missourians with disabilities remain on a waiting list for services.
Shelly Shetley, chairperson of the Missouri Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities, says those Americans wait because Medicaid doesn't have to pay for community support, and most of the money goes to institutions. As a person living with a disability, Shetley says there's hope that national health care reform will include changes for in-home support, including the Community Choice Act.
"Without these long-term care services and supports, we'll be forced into nursing homes and not have the choice of where we want to live."
Disability advocates say states that have invested in home and community-based services show cost savings when compared to the cost of institutional settings. The issue isn't just about money, adds Shetley, it's also about choice.
"Choice on living, where we live, would give them a lot more self esteem and self-worth."
Congressional leaders in Washington are designing several health care reform proposals, including making insurance mandatory for everyone. Critics of many of the proposals say they would be too costly and unfair to private insurers.