IN SPIRIT Legislative Information
We have found that California Disability Community Action Network (CDCAN) provides the most thorough, up-to-date information on all aspects of disability legislation in California. They are an invaluable resource and can be found at www.cdcan.us.
Support for Home & Community-Based Living Gaining Momentum Across the Nation
Improving the opportunities for people with disabilities to live in their communities and homes has long been a goal of the disability advocacy movement. Momentum is gaining across the nation to further that cause.
Historically, Medicaid long-term-care funding has favored institutions. In 1993, 84% of expenditures went to nursing facilities while 16% went to community-based services. Slowly, that is changing. The 1998 Supreme Court Olmstead Decision directed states to provide alternatives to nursing homes, helped shift the bias. By 2005, 63% of long-term-care dollars went to institutions and 37% to community-based services.
Through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal government is endeavoring to further address the institutional bias. By using a “Money Follows the Person” system of flexible funding, Medicaid dollars will “follow” individuals into the most appropriate and preferred settings. CMS asked for proposals from states on how they would use their Medicaid dollars to help individuals move out of nursing homes. California is one of 35 states that has submitted a proposal.