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

Consortium for C. 20249&Oid
Citizens with
Bob G.nss
KathyMcGinlky
202-842-4408
202-785-3388
Disabilities Peter Thomas 202-466-6550
28
June 1997
THE CONSORTIUM FOR CITIZENS WITH DISABILITIES HEALTH TASK FORCE
PRINCIPLES FOR MANAGED CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
The CCD Health Task Force-Principles for Health <strong>Care</strong> Reform from a Disability
Perspective" have been used since their development in 1991 to assess the ability of health care
reform measures to meet the needs of people with disabilities. The CCD asserts that any effort to
reform the nation's health care system must be built on five basic principles: non-discrimination,
comprehensiveness, appropriateness/choice, equity, and efficiency.
This means that:
d both the public and private health care systems must not discriminate against people with
disabilities;
R these systems must make a fall range of health and health related services and supports available
to people with disabilities in an efficient manner based on their individual needs and choices and
0 people with disabilities must not be burdened with inequitable and disproportionate costs which
limit their access to services
Policy makers at both the national and state levels must recognize that there are at least 43
million people with disabilities in the United States, as well as a large number of others with special
health care needs. This includes individuals of all ages with physical and mental impairments,
conditions, or disorders that are severe, acute, or chronic which limit or impede their ability to
function. Therefore, reform efforts must take into consideration the needs of people with
disabilities.
Currently, the role of managed care occupies center stage in the health care debate. <strong>Managed</strong>
care is viewed by many as a means to control health care costs while at the same time promoting
good health. However, this is not the view of the disability community. Reports from consumers
with disabilities indicate that access to necessary services is either denied or severely limited by