FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: 
Kaelan Richards, UCP: 202-973-7175,
Lara Schwartz, AAPD: 202-521-4309,

LEADING DISABILITY GROUPS USE NEW MEDICAID REPORT FINDINGS & RESOURCES AS GUIDE IN ADVOCACY FOR PROGRESS, AGAINST FAILURES IN STATES SERVING AMERICANS WITH ID/DD

The Case for Inclusion should be used a tool to determine how to build state support and service systems that work for Americans with intellectual and development disabilities                                                                                            

Washington, DC (May 23, 2012) – While progress has been made and there is more quality assurance of services provided, some states are failing to adequately serve Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD), according to The Case for Inclusion 2012, a new Medicaid report released today. United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) are calling on advocates to use The Case for Inclusion as a tool to determine how to build state support and service systems that work for people. The findings for 2012 reveal that:

1. While progress has been made, there is room for improvement: 36 states can now show that 80% of the individuals with ID/DD in their states are served in the community;  
    
2. States are becoming more involved in ensuring the quality of the services they provide: 29 states have established a comprehensive quality assurance program to measure the outcomes of the community services they deliver;  
    
3. But there is still more to do, particularly in providing services: waiting lists for critical community services continue to climb with more than a quarter of a million, or 268,000, people with ID/DD.

The 2012 report tracks the progress of community living standards, and it shows that the states with the best services and supports for Americans living with disabilities are Arizona, Michigan and California. The lowest performing states are Arkansas, Texas and Mississippi, which have remained at the bottom of the rankings since The Case for Inclusion was first published in 2006.  

While many states appear to be financially stable, the coming intersection of an aging population, people living with disabilities, and limited financial resources, will have a significant impact on the country’s entitlement programs. 

The report examines data and outcomes for all 50 states and the District of Columbia (DC), ranking each on a set of key indicators, including how people with disabilities live and participate in their communities, if they are satisfied with their lives, and how easily the services and supports they need are accessed. By taking these factors into account, the findings develop a comprehensive analysis of each state’s progress or failures in providing critical services to individuals living with disabilities.

Since 2006, these rankings enable families, advocates, the media and policymakers to fully understand each state’s progress or lack of improvement, and help to protect successful efforts against unwise funding cuts, as well as guide future reforms to promote inclusion and enhance the quality of life for these, and ultimately all, Americans.

“Each year, UCP publishes The Case for Inclusion as part of its continuing efforts to advocate for civil rights protections and public policies that provide support for individuals living with disabilities, ensuring fair and full citizenship for all Americans,” said UCP President & CEO, Stephen Bennett. “The Case for Inclusion clearly identifies the states that are successful in providing the supports and services that people living with disabilities need, as well as states that are struggling. I urge all states and advocates to utilize The Case for Inclusion as a tool to strengthen their efforts, and to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities.”

“It is critical that states honor their obligations to people with disabilities by providing comprehensive and high-quality services through their Medicaid programs. That is why people with disabilities and our allies are fighting to preserve and improve Medicaid at the state and federal levels. The Case for Inclusion makes clear that some states are falling short and provides a roadmap for advocacy. AAPD encourages our community, members, and supporters to use this tool in our continued efforts to preserve the vital services and supports that enable eight million people with disabilities to live the lives we deserve,” said AAPD President and CEO Mark Perriello. 

Online features, reports and data:
The 2012 report and data from all previous reports is available on UCP’s website using a robust new web module and design at ucp.org/public-policy/the-case-for-inclusion. Users can:

• Compare state & national data
• View state scorecards 
• Interact with the ranking map 
• See highlights of the 2012 report, top and bottom 10 states, most improved states and those with biggest drops, and  facts about the best performing states
• Advocate for areas needing improvement in states, and promote achievements that maintain high quality outcomes, like eliminating waiting lists and closing large institutions
• Download the full 2012 report and previous reports 

Users can pull individual state outcomes and measures, track each state’s performance over time, and compare states among one another and to the US average. The Case for Inclusion data, tables and graphs are exportable and printable as needed for personal and professional use. 

For further detail about the report itself, there will be a press briefing at 1:00 p.m. ET (10:00 a.m. PT). Author Tarren Bragdon will provide insight into the rankings and data, which advocacy groups and individuals can use to raise awareness for key outcomes for people with disabilities.

• Toll-free: 1-888-450-5996
• Participant passcode: 786597

# # #

About United Cerebral Palsy
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) educates, advocates and provides support services through an affiliate network to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities. Together with nearly 100 affiliates, UCP has a mission to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people disabilities by supporting more than 176,000 children and adults every day—one person at a time, one family at a time. UCP works to enact real change—to revolutionize care, raise standards of living and create opportunities—impacting the lives of millions living with disabilities. For more than 60 years, UCP has worked to ensure the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in every facet of society. Together, with parents and caregivers, UCP will continue to push for the social, legal and technological changes that increase accessibility and independence, allowing people with disabilities to dream their own dreams, for the next 60 years, and beyond. For more information, please visit www.ucp.org.

About the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the country's largest cross-disability membership association, organizes the disability community to be a powerful force for change – politically, economically, and socially. AAPD was founded in 1995 to help unite the diverse community of people with disabilities, including their family, friends and supporters, and to be a national voice for change in implementing the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To learn more, visit the AAPD Web site: www.aapd.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY REPORT FINDS PROGRESS IN MEDICAID SERVICES BUT NEARLY 33,000 AMERICANS WITH ID/DD STILL LIVE IN 162 LARGE, STATE-RUN INSTITUTIONS

UCP’s 6th Annual The Case for Inclusion Ranks 50 States & DC on
Medicaid Services for Individuals with Disabilities

Washington, DC (April 28, 2011) – United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), a leading service provider and advocate for children and adults with a spectrum of disabilities, today released The Case for Inclusion, an annual ranking of all 50 states and the District of Columbia (DC) for Medicaid services provided to intellectual and developmental disability (ID/DD) populations.

• website: http://medicaid.ucp.org
• report: http://medicaid.ucp.org/pdf/Case_For_Inclusion_Report_2011.pdf

The sixth annual rankings reveal:

1. All states have room to improve outcomes and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and must be particularly vigilant in the current economic climate (p. 5);
2. Too many Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities still do not live in the community (57,982 people with ID/DD live in facilities with 16 or more beds), although real and notable progress have been made over the last year (p. 5);
3. Certain states are making substantial progress toward inclusion (p. 6);
4. Too much money is still spent isolating people in large institutions (nearly 33,000 people at an average cost of $539 per person per day), with nominal change from last year (p. 6); and
5. Waiting lists have increased dramatically overall (up 56% from 2005 to 2009), but performance is quite mixed by state. Most states are not serving all those in need (p. 6).

“It is very encouraging that The 2011 Case for Inclusion reveals notable progress since the 2010 report. However each of the states and DC have room for improvement, because too many Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities still do not live in the community. UCP commends those making substantial progress toward inclusion and will continue using this report as a resource in the civil rights movement for people with disabilities, a movement that is far from over. Advocates, including leaders in each state, can use the 2011 report to advocate for all people with disabilities,” said Stephen Bennett, United Cerebral Palsy President & Chief Executive Officer.

Top 10 states in terms of quality of Medicaid service provided:

1. Vermont
2. Arizona
3. Michigan
4. New Hampshire
5. California
6. Washington
7. Delaware
8. Nevada
9. Massachusetts
10. Connecticut

Bottom 10 states in terms of quality of Medicaid service provided:

1. Indiana
2. North Carolina
3. Utah
4. Oklahoma
5. Nebraska
6. District of Columbia
7. Illinois
8. Texas
9. Arkansas
10. Mississippi

Thirteen states shifted by at least eight places in the rankings from 2007 to 2011.

Highlights:

• An impressive 21 states – down one since last year, but up two from 2009 and an increase from 16 states in 2007 – have more than 80 percent of those served living in home-like settings (p. 5).
• From 2005 to 2009, an impressive 18 states – up six from last year – reduced the number of Americans living in large institutions by 20 percent or more (p. 6).
• Nationally, the 14.4 percent (down from 19 percent in four years) of those living in institutions consume 33.7 percent (down from 41.4 percent in four years) of all Medicaid funding on those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (p. 6).
• Although nearly 60 points separate the top performing state from the poorest performing state, eight points separate the top 10 states, 15 points separate the top 25 states and only 15 points separate the middle 25 states. Therefore, minor changes in state policy or outcomes could significantly affect how a state ranks on future or past The Case for Inclusion reports (p. 7).

About United Cerebral Palsy

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) educates, advocates and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities. Together with nearly 100 affiliates, UCP has a mission to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people disabilities by supporting more than 176,000 children and adults every day—one person at a time, one family at a time. UCP works to enact real change—to revolutionize care, raise standards of living and create opportunities—impacting the lives of millions living with disabilities. For more than 60 years, UCP has worked to ensure the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in every facet of society. Together, with parents and caregivers, UCP will continue to push for the social, legal and technological changes that increase accessibility and independence, allowing people with disabilities to dream their own dreams, for the next 60 years, and beyond. For more information, please visit www.ucp.org.

About Author
Tarren Bragdon has been involved in healthcare policy research and analysis for over a decade. His work has been featured in newspapers and media outlets nationwide including The Wall Street Journal, New York Post, New York Sun and PBS. He served two terms in the Maine House of Representatives on the Health and Human Services Committee and served as chair of the board of directors of Spurwink Services, one of the largest social service providers in Maine.

###

CONTACTS:

Lauren Cozzi: 202-973-7114 (direct),

Alicia Kubert Smith: 202-973-7168,