The state of community-based support Medicaid services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities shows continued mixed results according to the 2010 Case for Inclusion report. This year‘s report, based largely on data for most states‘ fiscal year ending June 2008, is a look back at where states stood before the current recession and before states received significant boosts in federal stimulus funding.

United Cerebral Palsy Releases 2010 Case For Inclusion

5^th Annual Report Ranks 50 States & DC on
Medicaid Services for Individuals with Disabilities

The 2010 Case for Inclusion report (medicaid.ucp.org), ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia (DC) for Medicaid services provided to intellectual and developmental disability (ID/DD) populations. The fifth annual rankings reveal:

1. Despite significant progress, all states have room to improve outcomes and services for individuals with ID/DD, particularly in the current economic climate.
2. Too many Americans with ID/DD still do not live in the community, although real and notable progress have been made since last year.
3. Certain states are making substantial progress.
4. Too much money is still spent isolating people in large institutions, with nominal change since 2009.
5. Waiting lists have increased dramatically, but performance is quite mixed by state; most are not serving everyone in need.

Top/bottom ten states in terms of quality of Medicaid service provided:

1) Arizona; 2) Vermont; 3) New Hampshire; 4) Washington; 5) California; 6) Massachusetts; 7) Michigan; 8) Connecticut; 9) Colorado; 10) Hawaii; 42) Virginia; 43) Ohio; 44) Indiana; 45) Tennessee; 46) Utah; 47) DC; 48) Illinois; 49) Texas; 50) Arkansas; 51) Mississippi

Seventeen states shifted by at least five places in the rankings from 2009 to 2010, and 21 states shifted at least six places in the rankings from 2007 to 2010. Highlights include:

• An impressive 22 states ñ up three from 2009 and an increase from 16 states in 2007 ñ have more than 80% of those served living in home-like settings.
• From 2005 to 2008, an impressive 13 states reduced the number of Americans living in large institutions by 20% or more.
• Overall the number of Americans with ID/DD on waiting lists for residential services has increased 56% from 2005 to 2008.

This report focuses on what is being achieved; not how much or how little money is being spent. While current Federal Stimulus funds have alleviated Medicaid spending pressures at the state level to a large extent, Medicaid shortfalls are projected to come roaring back in 2011, if the temporary increase in Medicaid funds run out.