Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Rule
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): The final rule addresses several sections of Medicaid law under which states may use federal Medicaid funds to pay for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). The rule supports enhanced quality in HCBS programs, adds protections for individuals receiving services. In addition, this rule reflects CMS’ intent to ensure that individuals receiving services and supports through Medicaid’s HCBS programs have full access to the benefits of community living and are able to receive services in the most integrated setting.
For information on the Home and Community Based Setting Rule, click here.
Supporting Families - Lifespan Respite Act
NACDD believes that families can be a crucial part of ensuring that people with disabilities can live full self-determined lives. By re-framing expectations for life in the community, we will be better equipped to understand and support individuals with disabilities, their parents, children, siblings and other relatives, whether full-time, part-time or as supplemental caregivers.
NACDD’s letters on this topic are posted below:
Healthcare
NACDD believes that individuals with developmental disabilities and all disabilities should receive quality and affordable healthcare from providers that are trained to serve individuals with developmental disabilities. NACDD supported passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. The Affordable Care Act ensures that people cannot be discriminated against for having a pre-existing condition. The Affordable Care Act also expands Medicaid and Medicare. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act prohibits insurance companies from using genetic information to deny coverage or charge a greater premium. The Act also prohibits employers from using genetics to determine hiring, job placement, and promotions.
Community Living
NACDD believes that individuals with developmental disabilities should be able to access all parts of their communities. NACDD supported the passage of both the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008. The Americans with Disabilities Act is the landmark civil rights law that protects persons with disabilities from discrimination based on disability. The ADA prevents employers from discriminating against people with disabilities in all hiring practices as well requires them to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities. The ADA also ensures that public places and public transportation are accessible to persons with disabilities and that accommodations are provided to ensure that people with disabilities can enjoy all aspects of the community. The ADA was amended in 2008 to restore its original intent to cover persons with disabilities after a series of negative U.S. Supreme Court decisions narrowed its interpretation of who was a covered individual with a disability entitled to the civil rights protection of the ADA.