Why won't the state of Utah free our people? We are third in the nation paying the highest amount of tax money to keep people with physical disabilities, regardless of their age, in nursing homes.
According to federal data submitted to CMS for reimbursement, compiled by Thompson/Medstat, Utah spends a whopping $9.31 on nursing homes for every dollar spent on long-term care in the community. Nationally, the average is $2.68/$1. Yet when it comes to spending on mental retardation and developmental disabilities, we rank 27th of the 50 states.
Recently, Congress passed a bill giving states the opportunity to get people out of nursing homes. The feds will pay all expenses the first year of freedom. Utah refuses to even apply for this money.
Barbara Toomer
ADAPT/Utah