Bill Text: GA HR1713 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Health Departments; support system for Georgians with Disabilities; submit plan; request
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 5-1)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2010-04-21 - House Passed/Adopted [HR1713 Detail]
Download: Georgia-2009-HR1713-Introduced.html
10 LC
94 2678
House
Resolution 1713
By:
Representatives Manning of the
32nd,
Gardner of the
57th,
Houston of the
170th,
Walker of the
107th,
Channell of the
116th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Requesting
that the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, the
Department of Community Health, and the Department of Human Services submit to
the General Assembly a multiyear comprehensive plan for creating a system of
supports for home and community based services that support independent living
of Georgians with disabilities; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
the provision of services and support for people with disabilities and their
families has changed in recent years to focus less on institutional care and
more toward providing home and community based services (HCBS) that allow people
with developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, traumatic brain injury,
and mental illness to receive the support necessary to live independent and
productive lives in the community; and
WHEREAS,
it is desirable to provide home and community based services for some
individuals with disabilities and to avoid the use of institutions;
and
WHEREAS,
this state remains committed to providing people with opportunities for real
homes, jobs, learning experiences, recreation, and real choice in their lives;
and
WHEREAS,
2010 marks the tenth anniversary of the
Olmstead
decision, which covers people currently institutionalized and at risk of
institutionalization; and
WHEREAS,
there are almost 5,000 people with developmental disabilities, physical
disabilities, or traumatic brain injury on HCBS waiver waiting lists;
and
WHEREAS,
the demographics of Georgia indicate that an estimated 17,000 people with
disabilities are living with aging caregivers and this growing population will
also need HCBS should their caregivers become unable to provide support;
and
WHEREAS,
helping people remain with their current communities makes more sense
economically than paying expensive institutional costs later; and
WHEREAS,
a multiple year strategic plan and corresponding funding plan are needed to
build community capacity which will also assist state agencies and the
legislature to remain focused on priorities in both good and bad economic times;
and
WHEREAS,
with a multiple year funding plan, Georgia will have the comprehensive system of
supports and services in ten years that enable all people to live, work, play,
and worship in their communities of choice, and allow Georgians to age in place
with their families, friends, and neighbors; and
WHEREAS,
it is in the public interest of the General Assembly and the State of Georgia to
have a multiyear strategic development plan for providing Georgians with an
accessible community based system of services and supports that projects
necessary appropriations for Fiscal Year 2012 through Fiscal Year 2017; and
WHEREAS,
this comprehensive plan should be submitted to the Speaker of the House of
Representatives no later than July 1, 2010, and should include considerations of
the NOW/COMP waivers which support people with developmental disabilities, the
ICWP waiver which supports people with physical disabilities and traumatic brain
injury, state funded family support, funds for community based mental health
services, and funds necessary to supply provider rates that meet the realistic
costs of providing services and increase the capacity of community based
providers.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body urge the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental
Disabilities, the Department of Community Health, and the Department of Human
Services to provide the General Assembly with a strategic plan, developed with
the
Olmstead
coordinator, which sets priorities for home and community based services for
people with developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health
issues, and traumatic brain injury and to support a multiyear funding commitment
projecting the appropriations necessary to address the need for services for
these Georgians.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit appropriate copies of this resolution to the Board of
Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, the Board of Community Health,
and the Board of Human Services.
