FUND PEOPLE FIRST

So now we are in a recession. When the governor gave his budget address people understood the need to tighten our belts. We understand the need to maintain infrastructure . . . roads bridges, etc. There was also funding in the budget for ‘other’ projects not directly linked to necessities. There are two things we need to push for – a sustainable, untouchable source of funding for the waiting list and the promise that the needs of vulnerable people will come first – before animals, before beautification programs, before football stadiums. People first!

The waiting list would never have become an issue if families and advocates hadn’t stood up and asked for the end of waiting lists. The situation 10 years ago was absolutely dismal. If it hadn’t been for all of us, we’d still be isolated families begging the county administrators for help. Funding was only provided to people who lived in community residential services. The homes didn’t provide support during the day hours that people were required to be in a day program. If you lived at home, chances are you received nothing. Over the course of ten years the PA Waiting List Campaign has created awareness and some level of state funding for nearly 14,000 people.

Give us your thoughts on what can and should be done to insure that the waiting list receives adequate funding and support.

Change

The word ‘change’ is being tossed around an awful lot these days. So just what is it we want changed for people with disabilities? The situation with the economy has forced states to cut back on funding. However, in the past we always thought it strange that ballparks and other projects would be funded while people with disabilities who just want to live and work in the community wait and wait and wait.

If the states do appropriate funding for services, the Federal Government matches those funds almost dollar for dollar. So if states do not put funds into their budgets for people to come off waiting lists, we don’t receive the Federal match of dollars. There has to be a better way.

After years of waiting, there is finally a national push to address the waiting list by asking to make Medicaid an entitlement for people with disabilities. The program could be modeled like the one used in aging such as Medicare and Social Security. The rules are flexible. You are allowed to move from state to state and your funds would follow you. If you have a Medicaid Waiver you cannot move your funds to another state and if you move you go to the bottom of that state’s Waiting List.

We need to make our new President aware of our situations and impress on him the severity of our problems. We are counting on him to keep his promise of changing the future for all Americans. We can begin by asking our President Elect Obama and our Federal Congressmen and Senators to fundamentally change the way Medicaid operates and assist people to live in their homes and communities with their families, like everyone else. Although Waiver programs have provided care and supports for thousands of people, they still leave thousands with nothing. Home and Community Based supports should be an entitlement for those who need assistance!

Then tell us what do you think we should change and how should we change it?

Go to this website: Click the link below to view this discussion. http://www.change.org/ideas/view/fully_fund_medicaid_waivers_for_the_developmentally_disabled and vote to support Medicaid Waivers for all people who need them.

Announcing Dear Wanda

The Waiting List Campaign's equivalent of Dear Abby. Wanda will answer your burning questions with concise and factual information. Wanda welcomes a challenge and loves to search for answers.

A Blog to End the Wait for Mental Retardation Services. . .How do you really feel?

Here’s your chance to talk to us us and share your ideas with readers.

Each week we will give you something to talk about. Our topics will be important and timely. We need you to read and
respond.

Here’s what the Blog will do for us and you:

1. It will allow everyone to respond to issues almost instantly.
2. It will allow you to share important thoughts and questions with people from across Pennsylvania and they can reply to your ideas.
3. It will allow us to collectively seek answers and find direction.
4. It will keep us all on our toes.

There is no topic that is off topic.