HHS to Allow Elderly,
Disabled Texans to Direct Their Own Medicaid Services
October 31, 2002 - HHS Secretary
Tommy G. Thompson today approved a Texas plan to allow seniors and
disabled Americans receiving Medicaid home- and community-based
services to choose and contract for their needs directly.
The approved change will allow
elderly persons and those with disabilities the option to develop and
manage their own personal assistance and respite services.
Participants in this special program currently receive services that
are arranged for them by the local social services agency. This
amendment will allow participants to design their own programs, choose
their own assistants and set wage rates for different types of care.
Technical assistance will be provided to help participants implement
their service plans and manage financial obligations for supports and
services.
"Texas is setting the right
example by giving people with disabilities the right to make their own
choices for the kind of care and services that they need," Secretary
Thompson said. "We are committed to working with states on innovative
and creative ways to permit the elderly and those with disabilities to
remain independent and at home."
Earlier this year, HHS' Centers
for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) developed an Independence Plus
waiver and demonstration template for states to use in applying to
create this type of program. The template is designed to help states
promote self-directed care and offer them tools to design programs
that enable participant choice and independence.
"Allowing persons with
disabilities and their families to engage in 'self-direction' is a
high priority for the Bush Administration," CMS Administrator Tom
Scully said.
As former governors, President
Bush and Secretary Thompson have made it a priority to make it simpler
for governors to submit Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance
Program (SCHIP) waiver requests and to have those requests considered
promptly. Since January 2001, HHS has approved waivers and plan
amendments that have expanded eligibility to more than 2 million
people and enhanced benefits for more than 6 million people.
