HOME CARE FOR ELDERLY SLATED FOR CUTS

(05/07/2010)

A large number of elderly and disabled people in West Virginia, who can receive Medicaid in-home care each year will drop by 28 percent between 2011 and 2015. The proposed changes have been announced in a five-year plan. Another five-year plan for the Medicaid program which provides in-home care for mentally and developmentally disabled people, appears to conflict with a federal court order, according to disability advocates. "We are asking for a full explanation...I am very frustrated that Medicaid is constantly trying to reduce the aged and disabled program," said Delegates Brent Boggs, D-Braxton/Gilmer. Officials say Medicaid will submit the five-year plans to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services after a public comment period ends May 15. Gov. Joe Manchin has announced that he will ask the Legislature to restore $5.5 million he vetoed from the in-home budget. The $5.5 million will cover a waiting list of more than 1,700 elderly and disabled people and allow more people to receive services in the coming year. Then, two weeks after his announcement, the Charleston Gazette reports Medicaid released the five-year plan for the program. It includes the people covered by the $5.5 million. But then it cuts the number of elderly and disabled people who can be served from 8,165 in fiscal 2011 to 5,864 in 2015. Boggs responded by saying, "I cannot fathom why they are doing that."

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