-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Stephanie Thomas
Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 1999 11:07 AM
To: micasa-list
Subject: talking points on MiCASSA


Talking Points

1)  Our long term service system must change.  Created over thirty years ago
it is funded mainly by Medicare and Medicaid dollars.  These are medical
dollars which were not originally conceived to meet the long term care needs
of people.  We must think out f the box to new system that empowers people
and allows REAL choices.

The money should follow the individual not the facility or provider.

A national long term service policy should not favor any one setting over
the other.  It should be neutral and let the users choose where services
should be delivered.  Current system is not neutral.

Over 80% of our Medicaid dollars ($41 billion) spent on long term care is
spent on institutional services, leaving only 10% (%10.5 billion) for all
community services.

Current system is expensive and ways to meet the needs of people in the most
cost-effective way must be explored.

Community services on average have been shown to be less expensive then
institutional services and better liked by individuals.

2) Demographics of our country are changing
        a) aging process
        b) children being born with disabilities
        c) young adults - Medical technology keeping people alive who would have
died previously.

3)  People with disabilities both old and young, even those with severe
mental and/or physical disabilities want services in the most integrated
setting possible.  Families must have REAL choice.

4)  People with disabilities and their families want REAL choice which
means:
        a) equitable funding opportunities.
        b)  no programmatic or rule disincentives to community services.
        c) options for services delivery to include agency, vouchers and fiscal
intermediaries.  Empower people with disabilities and families.

5)  Family values, keep families together.
        a) communities taking care of their own.
        b) children belong in families.
        c) Mom and Dad together with their grandkids.
6)  Money following the individual can eliminate overburdening rules and
regulations by government regulators.

7)  A functional system based on need instead of medical diagnosis could end
FRAGMENTATION of service delivery system.

8)  Keeping people in the community allows the possibility for individuals
with disabilities to train for work so they can become TAXPAYERS instead of
TAX USERS.

9)  Overwhelmingly people prefer community services to stay in their own
home.  Federal government needs to work in partnership with the states to
create flexible delivery systems that gives people with disabilities REAL
choice.

10)  Change can cause fear of the unknown.  There are some long time
providers of services and families who believe REAL choice would threaten
what they have.  We cannot continue the system as it is today.  It is
expensive, fragmented, over medicalized and not liked by almost everyone.

There's No Place Like Home!





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