HHS Announces Initiatives to Encourage States to Provide Community-Based Care for People with Disabilities
Following President Bush's executive order that directs federal agencies to assist states in providing community-based treatment to people with disabilities, HHS is "moving vigorously" to improve access to such services, HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson said. In the 1999 Olmstead case, the Supreme Court determined that under certain circumstances the Americans with Disabilities Act requires states to provide community-based treatment for people with disabilities. Since then, states and the federal government have moved to comply with the decision. Thompson said, "This administration has made it a top priority to tear down the barriers to equality facing people of all ages with disabilities. We are committed to the goals the president has laid out. HHS will lead the federal government's efforts to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to live as independently as possible and fully participate in community life." According to an HHS release, HHS' efforts in enforcing the Olmstead decision include:
- $70 million in "Systems Change" grants to assist states in improving community-based services. Thompson in February announced the availability of $50,000 grants that will help finance public-private partnerships to advise states on how to use federal grants to increase services.
- "New Opportunities for Community Living" conference in May at which CMS, formerly HCFA, gave state policy makers information on how to use grants to improve their long term care systems.
- Letters to state Medicaid directors that gave information and answers to most frequently asked questions about the Olmstead decision.
- Outreach and training from the HHS Office of Civil Rights.
- A "primer" that explains in "plain language" existing long term care options under Medicaid.
- A national coalition of more than 40 federal agencies, national mental health advocacy groups, consumer organizations and private sector companies formed by HHS' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that promotes community-based care for people with mental illnesses. SAMHSA also is undertaking a $20 million study to determine the effectiveness of mental health consumer-oriented programs to supplement traditional mental health services (HHS release, 6/19).
