A Washington state agency has floated cutting services for more than 2,600 residents with developmental disabilities with the goal of saving money to close a looming budget gap.
As part of its requests for the state’s next two-year spending plan, the Department of Social and Health Services suggested restricting eligibility for services could save $13.3 million, about $6 million of which would come from the state’s general fund.
The proposal would raise the bar by requiring people with developmental disabilities to show they need support with more activities of daily living to be eligible for state-paid services than they do now. These include bathing, dressing, eating and taking medication.
This suggested change would end Medicaid eligibility for an estimated 2,655 residents, according to the Department of Social and Health Services. It would mean some people receiving care in residential facilities would lose their housing since it’s contingent upon qualifying, potentially pushing them into homelessness.
Advocates decried the idea. The Arc of Washington State Executive Director Stacy Dym said “changes to eligibility like this proposal call into question Washington state’s commitment to serving our most vulnerable residents in the most integrated setting appropriate to their individual needs.”
“Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities rely on essential services from a network of state and federal agencies in order to live in their community free from isolation and institutional care,” Dym said in a statement. “Unfortunately, cutting community services will end up costing the state and taxpayers more.”
She believes this will push people into hospitals and other more expensive settings that will provide worse care.