Developmental Disability (DD) Services are Collapsing
Contributed by The Governor’s Council on Disabilities & Special Education
Anchorage/ Mat-Su Valley - The Home and Community-Based Service (HCBS) System is falling apart. Not only are people on the waitlist not receiving crucial services, but many people with Medicaid waivers are also not being served.
● Agencies are at risk of collapse. Some have already closed their doors.
● 2,644 Alaskans are currently receiving HCBS through the Medicaid Waiver program.
● Alaska used to lead the nation in the support of the IDD community. Now it's among the worst.
First Step to Rebuild the System
Fund a $647,800 increment for the Department of Health, Senior and Disabilities Services to add staff and resources to begin implantation of the DD Waitlist Eradication Plan.
Support Programs: Support funding to address serious flaws in the process for determining Medicaid reimbursement rates.
Participant-Directed Services: Expand Encourage the Department of Health to pilot Participant-Directed Services which are a Medicaid option that adds a more self-directed and flexible option to the service system.
Better Care Better Jobs Act: Ask Senator Murkowski and Senator Sullivan to co-sponsor Senator Casey’s Better Care Better Jobs Act, which will enhance Medicaid funding for HCBS and strengthen and expand the direct support workforce by regularly updating HCBS payment rates and passing rate increases through to direct service staff to increase wages.
2023 Legislative Priorities
Priority 1: Waitlist
● Ensure the 5-year plan to eliminate the waitlist happens.
● Address disparities in how people are drawn.
Priority 2: Flexibility
● Encourage a Participant-Directed Services pilot project.
Priority 3: Funding
● Create sustainability through rate reform.
Priority 4: Workforce
● Prioritize DSP Living Wages in reform efforts.
● Support establishment of DSP certification