Previously I blogged about the problems faced by Medicaid-eligible people living in home and community-based settings when there isn’t a sufficient provider network to provide the services needed to maintain them in their residences, or there is substantial delay in getting the services started. The issue is that the government is obligated to provide the services in the least-restrictive setting under the Olmstead decision and the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) Now there are developments in Ohio which deal with that problem. In Ball, Burba et al. v. Kasich, Governor of Ohio, the plaintiffs alleged that “ the failure of defendants, Ohio’s governor and several state agencies, to provide them with home- and community-based services forces plaintiffs to rely on volunteer family caregivers to remain at home and places them at serious risk of institutionalization in a large Intermediate Care Facility (“ICF”).” The State moved to dismiss, saying that being ‘at risk” doesn’t give them standing to sue. The U.S. Department of Justice has now filed a Statement of Interest, asking to intervene (i.e., participate) in the case.
The USA wrote to the Judge that “The United States files this Statement of Interest to clarify that non-institutionalized individuals with disabilities who are not currently receiving state-funded home- and community-based services may bring a claim that a public entity has placed them at risk of institutionalization or segregation in violation of the “integration mandate” of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. See 28 U.S.C. § 517. “
To me, this is an exciting development. Eligible people who aren’t receiving services to which they are entitled are clearly being injured by such governmental delay. People who need 24/7 care and lack sufficient care services in their homes are clearly at risk of nursing home placement. The injury could be irreparable.
Call us for advice and assistance with Medicaid applications and advocacy for services … 732-382-6070