Medicaid Managed Care - U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging

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BE IT RESOLVED that, given the concerns expressed above, The Arc strongly advocates that
states and other entities use extreme caution if and when they explore a managed care approach
to long term supports;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The Arc in each state be actively involved to determine if
a managed care system for long term supports for people with mental retardation and other
developmental disabilities is an appropriate fiscal strategy in that state;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if a managed care system for long term supports for
people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities is deemed appropriate, such
system must:
• be designed to meet the life needs of people with mental retardation and other developmental
disabilities in an individualized manner, not based on a medical model, and provided by
qualified staff,
* be designed to ensure maximum control by people with mental retardation and other
developmental disabilities and designed to maximize individual choice to live freely and.
successfully in the community;
* be designed to include and involve all stakeholders, especially consumers, families, and
advocates, in a meaningful way in all stages of the process, including any transition which
would alter the current long term supports system;
* be fully funded, independently of primary and acute care funding, and ensure access to long
term supports and services;
* be affordable to the individual, not burdening him/her or family members with inequitable
and disproportionate costs which limits access to supports and services;
* be of high quality and designed to measure success based on quality outcomes, not cost
savings;
• be designed to improve services and supports in conjunction with cost containment measures
without sacrificing the needs of the individual;
* be designed to ensure that cost savings realized are invested primarily in providing long term
supports and services to individuals and in reducing waiting lists for eligible beneficiaries
and not in excess profits or in shifting funds to primary and acute care;
* be independent of, but coordinated with, thpM ary and acute care system, and free of
conflict of interest, so that individuals receive high quality and appropriate long term
supports and services when needed.
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