Integrated Services Bill
Advocates from the Resource Center for Independent Living joined others from around NYS on January 27 in Albany meeting with state legislators to urge them to re-introduce and support A7277, The Integrated Services Bill (The Bill). Introduced by Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito and Senators Seward and Griffo, The Bill passed unanimously by Senate and Assembly members during the 2008 session, yet was vetoed by Governor Paterson. The Bill would give New Yorkers with disabilities something that has been elusive– equality of opportunity to live, learn, and work in their own communities and not be forced into segregated services and systems simply because they need supports.
The Bill establishes a presumptive right to integrated, community-based services and requires the State to assure that any services it provides, or causes to be provided, be done with integrated approaches that do not separate people out based upon their disabilities. For too long, individuals with disabilities have been forced into institutions to get the care they need and this causes the State to spend millions more on unnecessary and most times unwanted levels of care. The Integrated Services Bill would make segregated services the approach of last resort and require a showing by the State as to why more expensive institutionalized services are needed. This shift in approach means everything to individuals with disabilities who for far too long have been forced out of the mainstream of life, away from their own homes, away from employment opportunities, family, friends, and their communities.
The Governor’s veto message included a nod to a state committee (Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council) charged with evaluating and recommending long-term healthcare approaches as the possible source for creation of this type of legislation as well as a cost implementation estimate from the Division of Budget that the Governor believes would be difficult to justify considering the state’s current budget deficit situation. This legislation as designed would not in fact require a new system but instead requires a new approach by state agencies executable within existing consumer service review mechanisms. The legislation would save the state millions of dollars in Medicaid spending over several years by allowing individuals to receive only the services they want and need within their own homes which in the aggregate is much less expensive and is what people have said they prefer. Additionally, the State’s Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council which has been meeting for years and charged with identifying gaps in services for individuals with disabilities was not established to write legislative approaches and has not approached the reform needed to the state’s continued reliance upon segregated institutionalized services for the disabled.
Discussions with the Executive’s Office as well as legislative sponsors are ongoing to address these issues while preserving the intent to assure that integrated services are the benchmark in New York State and not the exception. This crucial legislation could finally mean the end to segregated services that force people into dependency and poverty just to get the supports they need to live. Make your voices heard and let the Governor’s office know how important this legislation is to you, your family and your community.
Integrated Services Bill Fact Sheet2009 Joint Budget Hearing DocumentNews
-
We are currently hiring staff with PCA, HHA and CNA certifications. Please follow the careers link above for more information.
Tony Picente Roast and Toast
