05 LC 33
0651-EC
Senate
Resolution 78
By:
Senators Williams of the 19th, Staton of the 18th, Johnson of the 1st and Moody
of the 56th
ADOPTED
SENATE
A
RESOLUTION
Urging
the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to approve the waivers
requested by Georgia to further expand Georgia´s self-directed care
initiative; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
when elderly and disabled persons have choices regarding their health care, they
can make the right choice for their lives, save the state money by making wiser
individual choices, and be more satisfied with their health care;
and
WHEREAS,
self-directed care initiatives in Arkansas, Florida, and New Jersey have been
shown to reduce overall Medicaid expenditures even while both the quantity and
quality of services rises; and
WHEREAS,
the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved
programs that provide funding flexibility for persons with physical disabilities
and/or traumatic brain injury to participate in the self-directed care
initiative and has encouraged states to implement such programs;
and
WHEREAS,
the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services may also permit
self-directed care initiatives for persons with developmental disabilities
through the Mental Retardation Waiver Program (MRWP) and for senior adults and
those who are functionally impaired/disabled through the Community Care Service
Program (CCSP).
NOW,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate that the members of this body hereby
support the implementation of a Long-term Care Self-Directed Care Initiative,
offering choice and flexibility to Georgia citizens using the Community Care
Service Program, Mental Retardation Waiver, and Independent Care Waiver.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that this body hereby urges the federal
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to approve the waivers requested by
Georgia for the Mental Retardation Waiver Program and the Community Care Service
Program to further expand Georgia´s self-directed care initiative.