HOME CARE SERVICES
Issue and Position. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society believes it is important to expand quality public and private long-term care options. We especially endorse options that keep individuals at home or in the community as long as possible and functioning at the highest possible level.
Thus, we support:
- Increased funding for MI Choice, the Home and Community Based Waiver program by $20 million as recommended in the FY11 Senate Department of Community Health Appropriations Sub-committee budget.
- Saving tax payer dollars by funding home care and chore workers through the Medicaid Home Help program
- Restoration of funding for services by the Offices of Services to the Aging
Background.
Due to the chronic, often disabling nature of MS, approximately 3,500 individuals with MS in Michigan need quality, accessible, affordable, and comprehensive long-term care services. People with MS may require long-term care at a much younger age than the general population, but nursing homes often do not provide an environment where individuals can function at their highest level.
MI Choice is an important program that provides an array of vital in-home services to help low-income persons stay independent. Unfortunately, MI Choice is under funded. As of January 2010 there are approximately 4,000 eligible individuals on the statewide MI Choice waiting list. Too many Michigan citizens are unable to get the in-home help they need. Additional funding is needed to address the growing demand for services which prevent unnecessary, costly institutionalization
MI Choice is cost effective. Average cost for a MI Choice client is about $50 per day compared to nursing home care which is about $175 per day. In 2009, 1000 persons were transitioned from nursing homes back to the community through the Nursing Facility Transition Initiative. MI Choice provided the home care services for those clients transitioned back to the community. The Department of Community Health estimates that the state saved $35 million since 2008 because of these transition efforts. In 2008 nursing home expenditures declined for the first time ever. MI Choice played an important role in achieving those savings.
Services funded by the Office of Services to the Aging include in-home services, home-delivered meals, care management and other programs that support caregivers and keep persons over the age of 60 living independently. These services help low-income seniors who are ineligible for Medicaid, including persons with MS. If the proposed FY’11 cuts go into effect, more than 2,000 older adults would be affected.
April 2010