Paul, it would be helpful for you examine long-term care in Medicaid. The original statute from 1965 mandates long-term care in hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutions. All other services are optional. The truth is that all other services are much less expensive and allow seniors and disabled people to live independently in freedom, while institutions are a form of imprisonment for people who have committed no crime, whose human rights are ignored. Nursing homes say they care, but all they want is revenue (profit). Independent living can save taxpayers between 66% and 75% of the cost! All states should be chomping at the bit to get people out of nursing homes and investing hugely in consumer-directed home care. Bilions can be saved every year by just this one budget line-item and used to pay down federal and state debts.Please join the disability justice bandwagon on this issue and make tons of noise. Policy, practice, and our collective behavior must change.

Paul, it would be helpful for you examine long-term care in Medicaid. The original statute from 1965 mandates long-term care in hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutions. All other services are optional. The truth is that all other services are much less expensive and allow seniors and disabled people to live independently in freedom, while institutions are a form of imprisonment for people who have committed no crime, whose human rights are ignored. Nursing homes say they care, but all they want is revenue (profit). Independent living can save taxpayers between 66% and 75% of the cost! All states should be chomping at the bit to get people out of nursing homes and investing hugely in consumer-directed home care. Bilions can be saved every year by just this one budget line-item and used to pay down federal and state debts.Please join the disability justice bandwagon on this issue and make tons of noise. Policy, practice, and our collective behavior must change.

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