After a traumatic brain injury as an infant, Quentin Hammond lived in a nursing home for the first six years of his life. At the nursing home, the caregivers viewed him as blind and vegetative, and not able to engage. However, thanks to a program supporting community living, Quentin’s mother Teresa, was able to bring him home where he now receives the right mix of services and supports. Quentin has benefited from living with the love and support of his mother and little brother, who calls Quentin his best friend. Much to the contrary of his caregivers’ views in the nursing home, today Quentin can see, engages with others, and attends school. As Teresa said, “it’s been like a 360 turn, he is a different person.”
The Obama Administration has long been committed to helping all Americans, including people with disabilities and seniors, live at home with the supports they need, rather than in nursing homes or other institutions, and participate in communities that value their contributions. The Affordable Care Act has been critical in those efforts, providing many new resources and supports.
Today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the latest step towards expanding community living with the final rule creating the Community First Choice (CFC) Option. Thanks to the new health care law, CFC gives States additional resources to make community living a first choice, and leave nursing homes and institutions as a fall back option. Under CFC, States can receive a six percentage point increase in federal matching funds for providing community-based attendant services and supports to people with Medicaid.
Fonte: White House