Hawaii’s Investment in Medicaid is Critical to Residents with Mental Retardation,Cerebral Palsy, and Related Disabilities
Medicaid is a federal/state program that provides health, community based and institutional long-term careservices and supports, for children and families, the elderly, and people with disabilities. In 1999, more than202,900 Hawaii residents received services through Medicaid, including 21,616 people with disabilitiesAs the national economy has weakened and as Hawaii struggles to balance its budget and provide criticaland life-saving services for its residents, TheArc of the United States and United CerebralPalsy—national organizations that provide avoice for persons with mental retardation andcerebral pals—have compiled information tohelp the public understand the essential roleof Medicaid in providing critical services andsupports to Hawaiians with mentalretardation, cerebral palsy and relateddisabilities. As the state cuts its budget and prioritizes programs, care must be taken notto hurt our most vulnerable residents bycutting eligibility for Medicaid or eliminatingcritical Medicaid services.
MEDICAID PROVIDES ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND SUPPORTS
Health care, and long term services and supports, including community-based services provided byMedicaid, are among the most important ways that Hawaii demonstrates that it values all of its residents.Medicaid services help to keep people healthy and enable individuals to lead personally enriching lives bycontributing to the communities around them. In addition to physician, hospital and clinic services, Medicaid provides a vital—and sometimes the only—funding source for critical services. These include:EPSDT Services for ChildrenA provision of the Medicaid program, called Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment(EPSDT) ensures that children in Medicaid receive regular health screenings, and when problems are diagnosed,treatment services are provided. These services prevent andminimize disability by intervening early. For children withmental retardation, cerebral palsy, and related developmentaldisabilities, this critical Medicaid benefit can make a hugedifference in people’s lives. This early investment inchildren can save money by enabling children to maximizetheir development and educational attainment—minimizingthe need to receive life-long services.
Collaboration to Impact National Public Policy for People withMental Retardation, Cerebral Palsy and Related Disabilities and Their Families
In 1999, roughly 40,500 children (birth – 20)in Hawaii received at least one EPSDTscreening. In the same year, more than 3,900children were referred for correctivetreatment.
Source:
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services(CMS) Annual EPSDT Participation Report: Hawaii FY1999.
Hawaii Medicaid Enrollment
(Includes people with mental retardation and relateddevelopmental disabilities)
Residents in Intermediate Care Facilities for personswith Mental Retardation (ICF/MRs):96Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)recipients:1,089Nursing Facility residents:97
Source: Lakin KC, Braddock D, Smith G. Indicators of Change inService for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities: Decade Ending June30, 2000. Mental Retardation 40; 1: 90-96.
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