1,600 Mississippians on waiting lists for home care
October 21st, 2009From the Clarion [MS] Ledger:
More than 1,800 people with mental or developmental disabilities are receiving home and community-based services in Mississippi, but almost as many — nearly 1,600 — are enrolled on waiting lists for the services.
Ed LeGrand, executive director of the state’s mental health department, said he expects that the number of waiting families will exceed those served within the next year. LeGrand recently asked the legislature for a 25 percent increase in funding for the next fiscal year, but said he “did not really think the request would be looked upon favorably.”
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October 21st, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Many states like Mississippi do not provide or fully fund community based services like in-home care to all the residents that need it. The federal government requires that 67% of Medicaid funding for these programs to states be used to provide long term institutional care. Only 33% remains for “optional programs” which could be used to provide in-home and other community based services.
I urge everyone to support the federal bill Community Choice Act (Senate bill 683, House bill 1670) which will allow people with disabilities a choice between institutional care and community based care. It also allows states to redirect long-term services funding from institutions to community based care.
Please contact your members of Congress to pass this bill. It will help the people of Mississippi and in other states have access to the services they need. Thank you.