WASHINGTON, June 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), one of the nation's largest health charities, reported today that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities being served by Medicaid are not getting the community-based supports they need in every State. The report, The Case for Inclusion 2008, ranks all 50 States and the District of Columbia. At the top of the list: (1) Arizona, (2) Vermont, (3) Alaska, (4) Massachusetts, and (5) California. At the bottom: (51) Mississippi, (50) Texas, (49) Illinois, (48) District of Columbia, and (47) Virginia.
"Every American wants the opportunity to live and work in their community," said Stephen Bennett, President and CEO of UCP. "The top-performing states in our rankings do a better job promoting independence and productivity in safe, quality community settings, but we still have far too many people with disabilities not getting the service and supports they desperately want and need. Although we are pleased with the positive movement in several areas, we can and should do better."
The findings indicate a positive trend toward more community inclusion
with mixed results in some areas. Some of the report's key findings:
-- Positively, more people are leaving large institutions, but still 41
states have 173 large state institutions (more than 16 beds) housing
37,700 Americans; Hidden List
-- Positively, now 19 states -- up from 16 last year -- have more than 80
percent of those served living in home-like settings;
-- Positively, 15 states -- up from 10 last year -- report helping a
significant number of families remain together through robust family
support programs;
-- Positively, 39 states -- up from 33 last year -- support individuals
going to work and maintaining their Medicaid benefit through a Medicaid
Buy-In program;
-- Negatively, a smaller porti
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| SOURCE United Cerebral Palsy Copyright©2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved |