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Public Policy

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Medicaid Waiver for Medically-Involved Children

Oregon families caring for medically involved children receive very little, if any, support or assistance. Many families are forced to place their children in foster care or nursing homes. Others impoverish themselves to access Medicaid services. Many more simply exhaust themselves physically and financially as they provide demanding care 24 hours a day, putting their entire families at risk. Passage of this legislation directs the Department of Human Services (DHS) to apply for a Medicaid waiver irrespective of parental income. Passage of this legislation provides options other than nursing homes and foster care for families with children requiring high levels of medical support.

Who are "medically involved children"?

Children whose level of disability requires total assistance with eating, dressing, toileting, and mobility. They may use feeding tubes, incontinence supplies, require durable medical equipment, and often require frequent repositioning over a 24 hour period.

What would a Medicaid Waiver do?

It would allow medically-involved children to receive help and support in their family home even if their family is not eligible for Medicaid.

Besides this waiver, Oregon has other Medicaid waivers which provide home and community-based services for (1) individuals who are aged/elderly or adults who have physical disabilities, and (2) individuals with developmental disabilities, through the Department of Human Services (DHS), so that they may lead healthy, satisfying and productive lives among family and friends. The Medicaid waiver program allows individuals eligible for Medicaid who need the kind of long-term care and assistance provided by hospitals, nursing homes or intermediate care facilities for individuals with cognitive disabilities (ICF/MR) to choose to receive care and assistance at home or in other community settings. Oregon's current waiver services for individuals with developmental disabilities are: 

• Children's Intensive In-Home Services (Hospital Waiver for Medically Fragile Children and ICF/MR Waiver for Children with Behavior Issues)
• Comprehensive Services for Children and Adults (ICF/MR Comprehensive Medicaid Waiver)
• Support Services for Adults (ICF/MR Support Services Medicaid Waiver)

For more information on these, visit the Oregon DHS website.

Family and Community Together (FACT) is a family leadership coalition working to facilitate positive change in policies, systems and attitudes affecting Oregonians with disabilities or chronic health concerns and their families. More about FACT ...