Ohio Law Expands Medicaid Services For People With Mental, Developmental Disabilities

Ohio Medicaid services have been expanded for those with mental and developmental disabilities under a law (HB 94) enacted in June, the Columbus Dispatch reports. As part of an effort to comply with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that ordered states to develop "more opportunities" for the disabled to use community-based support programs, the law increases funding and long term care services. David Zwyer, executive director of the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, said the law is expected to help "at least" 1,000 people access services, such as in-home care, over the next two years. Currently, there are about 13,000 people on waiting lists for such services. He added that the law allows communities to use funds from local levies to match federal Medicaid dollars, which is a "significant change." Zwyer said, "This can help twice the number of people than we have in the past. [More than] 6,000 people aren't receiving services, and about 6,000 others are receiving something but not enough." The Dispatch reports the state's 2002-03 budget appropriates more than $500 million for institutions for people with mental retardation and more than $2 billion for nursing home care for people with disabilities. Of that amount, about $318 million is allocated for home and community-based care. Leah Holden, with the state Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, said, "This is a very big step. Some people will be able to leave institutional settings and group homes" (Latta, Columbus Dispatch, 8/14). For further information on state health policy in Ohio, visit State Health Facts Online.