Fact Sheet :: Reduce the Waiting List for Community-Based Services for People With Disabilities
Produced by The Arc of Minnesota – February 2009

The Arc of Minnesota Position
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities have the right to choose where they live, learn, work, and play. Community-based services in Minnesota, like waivered services, give them more options and control over their lives. The Minnesota Legislature should take steps to serve the 4,900 currently waiting for these supports, especially those 500 individual over 23 years old living with aging parents.

Legislative Response

• Legislators should support HF 295 and the companion Senate bill that will be introduced.

Background

• In the mid-1980’s, Minnesota added “waivered services” to the list of supports paid through Medical Assistance (MA). “Waiver” means federal regulations are waived so that MA funds can be used for supports that maximize community inclusion, instead of services in institutional settings.

• Services provided under the waiver include assistive technology, residential supports, crisis services, home modifications, transportation services, and training for consumers and caregivers.

• Waivered services are individually designed, more flexible, and more cost-effective than services in institutions.

• In response to The Arc of Minnesota’s “Unlock the Waiting List Campaign” in 1999, Minnesota extended waivered services to more than 7,600 people over the next three years.

Recent Developments

• In 2003, Minnesota elected officials froze funding for additional waivered services except in crisis situations. This moratorium on new waiver spending continued through Fiscal Year 2007. As a result, the waiting list for these supports has grown again to 4,900. The Governor’s budget proposal in 2007 reinstated funding for services for 300 more people who use waivered services, and the Minnesota Legislature approved this funding. The 300 waiver slots due to be released on 1/1/09 were unalloted by the Governor.

• Rep. Diane Loeffler has introduced legislation (HF 295) to address the waiting list. Sen. Kathy Sheran will introduce a companion bill in the Senate.