Election 2024: Do your chosen candidates understand I/DD issues?
Your voice matters! As parents, families and friends of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, you have a unique perspective to share with current and future lawmakers.
Critical issues are on the table in across the state as we enter election season. They include expansion of the Innovations Waiver, direct support professional wages and access to care. Do your chosen candidates, regardless of party, understand those issues?
Take a moment today to research the record of your chosen candidates, whether this is their first time on the ballot or they are an incumbent, and reach out to share your perspective on the services that matter most to you and your family.
Information and Talking Points
The NC Innovations Waiver is a federally approved 1915(c) Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver designed to meet the needs of individuals with Intellectual or Development Disabilities (I/DD) who prefer to get long term care services and supports in their home or community, rather than in an institutional setting. (Source: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services)
As you reach out to candidates or current legislators, share your personal stories and photos. The person you care for may or may not already have an Innovations Waiver, but your experience with or without a waiver will be compelling. Include these relevant points with your email, phone call or letter to legislators:
- Group homes and day programs provide critical support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, but many families do not currently have access to these services because of long waiting lists.
- Medicaid is the primary and most effective source of funding for these services. Because the federal government pays part of every service, it costs the state less.
- Often the only other option for many of the individuals is institutionalization if they can’t get funding in a group home. Most providers will not accept a person unless they have a waiver. Many parents are aging and can no longer care for an adult child with disabilities at home.
- Without these services, individuals may not have access to living and working in their own communities.
- The Innovations Waiver provides appropriate reimbursement rates. Without these rates, providers cannot pay direct support workers with a living wage. In fact, even though people have the waiver, staff are still paid about $5 per hour less than people at fast food restaurants.
- Encourage legislators to support the budget items that will provide adequate support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Posted on: Saturday September 7, 2024