An annual ranking of how well state Medicaid programs serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities shows Missouri as third in the nation and second most-improved since 2007 “for providing quality services that improve the lives of individuals and their families.”
The annual ranking from United Cerebral Palsy entitled The Case for Inclusion, compares how state Medicaid program outcomes meet four key standards of an effective program:
- Promoting independence
- Promoting productivity
- Keeping families together and reaching those in need
- Tracking health, safety and quality of life
From this article in The Huffington Post: “Missouri jumped from No. 41 in 2007 to No. 3 this year by increasing the amount of resources allocated to people with disabilities and closing six state institutions, among other noteworthy improvements.”
The 2010 creation of the Partnership for Hope by Gov. Jay Nixon, was instrumental in demolishing the waiting list for in-home services for low-income Missouri citizens with developmental disabilities. According to the Governor’s office, more than 2,700 are participating in the Partnership for Hope waiver.
Additionally the state began participating in and reporting outcomes for the National Core Indicators (NCI), a survey that uses in-person interviews and extensive questioning to better reflect the true health, safety and quality of life of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
