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Summary of Issue(s):
Long Term Care Reform activities
in Wisconsin need to: (1) strengthen existing community
LTC capacity for current consumers. (2) expand capacity
to eliminate waiting lists for community service. (3)
provide sufficient funding to individuals currently
living in institutions who choose to live in the community
by transitioning institutional capacity and resources
to community services.
Medical Assistance (DHCF) – WCILC supports maintaining
the current levels of eligibility and scope of services
for MA recipients.
MA Base Reestimate. (DIN 5400) – WCILC Supports
DDES (LTC and MH/AODA)
Life Lease. (DIN 5603) – WCILC Supports
Community Opportunities and Recovery Waiver. (NH Relocation
Waiver for Persons with Serious Mental Illness) (DIN
5621) - WCILC Supports
ICF-MR Restructuring – WCILC supports, except
for the proposed statutory section that allows for
people to be admitted even if it is not the most integrated
setting (Shield Law”). The Supreme Court affirmed
that the right of the people to be served in the most
integrated setting was a civil right in its 1999 Olmstead
decision. The proposed Shield Law would allow counties
to violate this civil right. If the counties have insufficient
funds to serve people in the most integrated setting,
the State should pay the non-federal MA share.
CBFR Pre-Admission Assessment – WCILC opposes.
WCILC believes that pre-admission screening and options
counseling serves an important purpose and should be
mandatory for all people prior to admission to CBRFs
and any institutional setting.
Expansion of SSI Managed Care. (DIN 5420) – WCILC
opposes. WCILC believes that purported cost-savings
and ability to serve the relatively intense needs of
this population by managed care organizations has not
adequately been demonstrated. There should be no further
expansion until a thorough analysis has been completed
of the current pilots.
IL AT Initiative - WCILC supports increased Assistive
Technology services. WCILC suggests the addition of
the Independent Living Assistive Technology Initiative
to the budget.
WCILC Contact: Maureen Ryan, Executive Director Wisconsin
Coalition of Independent Living Centers, 608-819-1300(Voice/TTY)
608-8190-1301(Fax) moryan@charter.net
Independent Living Assistive Technology Initiative
Assistive Technology is needed by thousands of persons
with disabilities in Wisconsin to obtain and or maintain
full integration into the community. The current need
for assistive technology services far exceeds the funding.
Quality Assistive Technology services save money:
1. Adaptive Equipment and other technology allow individuals
to be employed and less dependent upon paid help or
institutional care.
2. By getting good information and test trials through
the Independent living centers, funding sources such
as DVR, DHFS, Medicaid, and private insurance save
money spent on equipment that does not work and gets
put in the closet when individuals obtain inappropriate
equipment.
3. State initiatives, such as Pathways and Family
Care, are dependent on technology to help individuals
to be independent and minimize care and support of
others.
4. The Agrability resource allows for the specialized
expertise needed to assist farmers with disabilities
to continue their chosen career.
5. The systemic efforts of WCA create a long term
cost effective solution related to technology in schools,
human services, and the business community.
6. The Wheelchair Recycling Project, serves those
who can not afford new equipment by refurbishing assistive
technology that is no longer needed, and selling it,
at a minimal cost.
Total cost of project $580,000/yr.
WCILC Contact: Maureen Ryan, Executive Director Wisconsin
Coalition of Independent Living Centers, 608-819-1300(Voice/TTY)
608-8190-1301(Fax) moryan@charter.net
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