Disability Advocates Laud Hike In Provider Wage But Raise Other Issues

Backers of changes to Medicaid disability services funding on Thursday told senators reviewing the biennial budget they supported parts of plan, while raising concerns with other sections.

Than Johnson, representing the Ohio Provider Resource Association, voiced support for the Department of Developmental Disabilities' budget bill (HB 166) proposal to increase reimbursement rates for direct support professionals.

"OPRA is appreciative and supportive of the Ohio House's increase of the DSP average wage to $13," he told members of the members of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health and Medicaid. "This is a major step in providing the Ohio private providers with the ability to recruit, train, and retain a valued workforce. We will also assure that our workforce through reporting documents to DODD and random samplings if needed will receive those wage increases."

OPRA is requesting additional funding for day service staff and programs to assist in community integration for people with disabilities, he said.

Sen. Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) said other witnesses have raised concerns about non-medical transportation since those policies and funding haven't adapted to changes in practices.

"Do we really need that study or do we just need to fund non-medical transport for people who are going out to their jobs?" she asked.

Mr. Johnson said they don't want a study committee to get in the way of funding for non-medical transportation.

"There's a distinct challenge between urban and rural areas," he said. "The concept of taxis, Uber, is not quite out to the farms yet."

Chairman Sen. Bob Hackett (R-London) said the state is in a transition period between workshops and more individualized workplaces.

Sen. Antonio said there could be a bridge now to provide better transportation options while the state transitions to a better system.

Nicole Heimbrock and Dan Sartin with People First of Ohio said they supported the proposed wage increase.

"There are not enough direct support professionals in Ohio to meet the basic needs of people with developmental disabilities," Ms. Heimbrock said. "It is not because they do not care. It is because people cannot live on what a DSP makes in wages."

Pam Greene, president of EasterSeals Ohio, said the nonmedical transportation budget increases were needed immediately and further study would not benefit those who utilize the program.

"I ask that you strike the language preventing implementation of the funding increase for nonmedical transportation until a new workgroup is formed," Ms. Greene said. "The longer we study this issue, the more we constrain the limited transportation resources available."

In response to Chair Hackett asking about the ideal vehicle size for the program, Ms. Greene said she agreed with the chair that nonmedical transportation vehicles should not go too small and vans were probably most appropriate.

Michael Kirkman, executive director of Disability Rights Ohio, called a provision in the bill unwarranted oversight of his group's independent activities.

Mr. Kirkman said the change would require "a joint legislative committee to biennially review the designation of Disability Rights Ohio as the state's protection and advocacy system and client assistance program for people with disabilities."

Federal funding to services for the disabled could be jeopardized by the rollout of the new oversight, which may have been inserted as retaliation for successful litigation by DRO, Mr. Kirkman said.

Sue Willis, director of AXIS Center for Public Awareness and board member of DRO, provided written testimony, saying the House bill would remove representation of disabled people from the board.

"DRO's Board has 13 members, half of which are people with different types of disabilities," Ms. Willis said. "Members are from different parts of the state and have various racial and cultural backgrounds."

Justin Blumhorst, operations leader for Capabilities Inc., said nonmedical transportation funding should not be delayed for further workgroup study.

"If a workgroup is formed before implementing this funding, please expedite the work of this group as fast as possible," he said. "The longer this potential workgroup works together will further delay the ability of people with disabilities to get to their jobs and volunteer in their community."

Tom Weaver, executive director of Choices in Community Living, said direct service provider wage increases would improve care for disabled people in the state.

"I am most appreciative of the administration's proposal to invest in the homemaker/personal care service to help increase the average wage of DSPs providing that service," Mr. Weaver said. "I am even more appreciative for the commitment from your colleagues in the House to build off of the DeWine Administration's executive budget to further increase the average wage of a DSP providing the homemaker/personal care service."

Caroline Lahrmann, president of Disability Advocacy Alliance, asked lawmakers to address a clerical error in an amendment added in the House and designed to ensure parents of people with developmental disabilities are informed of all care choices.

Most county boards do not show information about intermediate care facilities, focusing instead of waiver options, she said.

"ICFs may be the best form of care for many people with severe disabilities and complex medical conditions," she said.

Margret Gfoeller, Wayne Gross, Bob Colombo, Richard Klein, Dan Jones, and Kimberly Woody provided testimony as family members of disabled people in support of the Informed Choice Amendment to provide access to information regarding Intermediate Care Facilities.

"Why would families not be informed about ICF facilities as an option of care for their loved one? A person with disabilities should not have to be exposed to abuse, neglect and their health permanently compromised to learn of an ICF facility," Ms. Woody said.