UCP Report Ranks California In Top Five States With Quality Medicaid Services For People With Developmental Disabilities

New study ranks states' Medicaid services. End Quote

Sacramento, CA (1888PressRelease) May 05, 2011 - California is one of the top five states providing quality Medicaid services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, according to United Cerebral Palsy's sixth annual "The Case for Inclusion." The study ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia for Medicaid services provided to intellectual and developmental disability populations.

"We are proud to work in a state that clearly values the independence of people with developmental disabilities," said Doug Bergman, president and CEO, UCP of Sacramento and Northern California. "We believe children and adults with developmental disabilities, as well as their families, can live life without limits when provided with the right resources - and Medicaid is an important resource."

The study revealed several insights nationwide. All states have room to improve outcomes and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and must be particularly vigilant in the current economic climate. Too many Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities still do not live in the community, with 57,982 people in facilities with 16 or more beds. Certain states are making substantial progress toward inclusion, but too much money is still spent isolating people in large institutions - nearly 33,000 people at an average cost of $539 per person per day. Medicaid waiting lists have increased dramatically, up 56 percent from 2005 to 2009, but performance is mixed by state. Most states are not serving all those in need.

"It is very encouraging that the 2011 'The Case for Inclusion' reveals notable progress since the 2010 report," said Stephen Bennett, UCP national president and CEO. "However each of the states and DC have room for improvement, because too many Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities still do not live in the community. UCP commends those making substantial progress toward inclusion and will continue using this report as a resource in the civil rights movement for people with disabilities, a movement that is far from over. Advocates, including leaders in each state, can use the 2011 report to advocate for all people with disabilities."

The top 10 states for quality of Medicaid service are: Vermont, Arizona, Michigan, New Hampshire, California, Washington, Delaware, Nevada, Massachusetts and Connecticut. The bottom 10 states are Indiana, North Carolina, Utah, Oklahoma, Nebraska, District of Columbia, Illinois, Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi. Thirteen states shifted by at least eight places in the rankings from 2007 to 2011.

Twenty-one states - down one since last year, but up two from 2009 and 16 in 2007 - have more than 80 percent of those served living in home-like settings. From 2005 to 2009, 18 states - up six from last year - reduced the number of Americans living in large institutions by 20 percent or more. Nationally, the 14.4 percent (down from 19 percent in four years) of those living in institutions consume 33.7 percent (down from 41.4 percent in four years) of all Medicaid funding on those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Although nearly 60 points separate the top performing state from the poorest performing state, eight points separate the top 10 states, 15 points separate the top 25 states and only 15 points separate the middle 25 states. Minor changes in state policy or outcomes could significantly affect a state's future ranking.

The full report is available at:
http://medicaid.ucp.org/pdf/Case_For_Inclusion_Report_2011.pdf

Each month, UCP of Sacramento and Northern California serves 2,600 children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families in Butte, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Shasta and Sutter counties. Programs include Saddle Pals adaptive horseback riding, UCP's Autism Center for Excellence at Sacramento State, adult day programs, independent living services, transportation and in-home respite care for families. The group has a high efficiency rate with 91 cents of every dollar going directly to programs. For more information, visit www.ucpsacto.org.

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