Appropriations Requests

P&A supports funding requests for disability service programs that would provide services to those on waiting lists or who are otherwise un-served (e.g. waiver waiting lists, full funding of the FIT program, expansion of community-based mental health services, etc), or would improve services to those already in the service system.  P&A opposes reductions in funding to such programs that would involve reductions in services, eligibility criteria, or provider rate cuts that would diminish quality or choice of providers. 

Self-Determination

P&A supports legislation that funds self-advocacy activities, that increases consumer control over health care and other decisions affecting them, and that support the ability of persons with disabilities to choose the setting in which they receive services and the persons who might be involved in making substitute decisions for them.  P&A supports legislation to improve monitoring of guardianship arrangements and to strengthen procedural protections in the guardianship process.  P&A opposes legislation that encourages or expands involuntary treatment (e.g. outpatient commitment) or that empowers guardians to make decisions on issues not within the scope of their guardianship orders (e.g. “parental consent” laws that would extend the authority of guardians whose authority has been limited by court order). 

Health Care

P&A supports full funding for the Medicaid program, recognizing the vital role that Medicaid plays in supporting long term services and supports for persons with disabilities.  P&A supports efforts to expand Medicaid and/or other health care programs to low-income uninsured individuals (many of whom are people with disabilities), to expand access to needed health care (e.g. insurance mandates for services to persons with autism, development of plans for universal coverage), and to increase access to benefits by those who are (or will become) eligible but not yet enrolled (e.g. application assistance or reinstatement of benefits prior to discharge from jails or other facilities).  P&A opposes reductions in benefits, eligibility criteria or payment rates for providers in the Medicaid program.  P&A supports efforts to improve the design of the state’s managed long term care program.

Education

P&A supports efforts to reduce or eliminate the use of seclusion or restraints in schools.  P&A neither supports nor opposes proposed changes to the public school funding formula but supports efforts to assure accountability and responsibility for the provision of services by school districts and adequate oversight and compliance efforts by the Public Education Department.  P&A supports appropriations needed to implement a scholarship program for college students with disabilities.

Quality Assurance

P&A supports legislation that would improve the retention, training and basic qualifications of direct care staff.  However, P&A also supports legislation that involves consumers in determining and measuring quality for themselves, and that allows consumers in self-directed programs to establish their own training requirements for staff.  P&A supports measures to improve the quality of services.

Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity

P&A supports legislation that protects or expands the civil rights of persons with disabilities, and opposes legislation that would limit the rights of persons with disabilities.  P&A opposes the exemption of any persons with disabilities from minimum wage requirements.