ABI WAIVER MFP PROGRAM CONNECTICUT COMMUNITY CARE SUPPORTED LIVING

Dear Governor Ned Lamont, Advocacy Request for Brain Injury Survivors

Advocacy Request for Brain Injury Survivors in Connecticut.

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to respectfully request your advocacy support regarding a pressing issue that is impacting individuals and families living with brain injuries in Connecticut who rely on federally funded programs. Specifically, individuals using federally funded programs such as the Money Follows the Person (MFP) Program and the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver Program may be facing limited access to available services due to what may appear to be covert referral practices by Connecticut contracted care management agencies. This issue significantly reduces the full access of thousands of disabled Medicaid consumers of federally funded services.

As an organization dedicated to promoting full equal access to care for people with disabilities, I am reaching out to request your assistance in investigating this matter and guiding appropriate actions to ensure that people with disabilities receive the necessary resources and services. The negative impact of limited access to care for brain injury survivors is significant and cannot be ignored, potentially resulting in delayed recovery, increased health risks, reduced quality of life, financial burden, and mental health consequences.

Furthermore, I would like to express concerns regarding how this situation may negatively impact federal funding and increase healthcare expenses. Limited access to necessary care could not only place an additional financial strain on Connecticut and its citizens but also jeopardize the state's ability to secure much-needed federal support for these programs in the future.

It is widely acknowledged that care managers play a crucial role in providing high-quality care to consumers with disabilities. However, recent evidence suggests that the current workload faced by care managers far exceeds what is necessary for consumers' health and well-being. This puts an enormous strain on care managers, who may be responsible for as many as 40 consumers at a time, making it increasingly challenging to provide ethical, professional care that is person-centered and in line with the rights of disabled people.

Care managers are essential professionals who work tirelessly to ensure that consumers receive the care and support they need to live fulfilling lives. However, when their workload is too heavy, the quality of care they can provide suffers, leading to ethical concerns and potential neglect of consumers' needs.

It is essential to acknowledge the challenges faced by care managers and to take steps to alleviate their workload. By reducing the number of consumers assigned to each care manager, we can ensure that the care provided is of the highest quality and aligns with the principles of person-centered care and the rights of disabled people. This will also benefit care managers, who will be better able to manage their workload and provide the care they are trained to provide.

Therefore, I respectfully request that you use your influence to address this issue and ensure care management transparency and accessibility to the practices of federally funded referrals.

Would you please ensure individuals with disabilities have full access to all available resources and services they are entitled to?

Your advocacy on this matter would make a significant difference in addressing this issue in a fair and unbiased manner.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities.

Your continued efforts to promote equality and access to necessary resources and services are invaluable.

Sincerely,

David Medeiros

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Governor Ned Lamont, advocacy support, brain injuries, Connecticut, federally funded programs, Money Follows the Person Program, Acquired Brain Injury Waiver Program, care management agencies, Medicaid consumers, disability access, care transparency, investigation, delayed recovery, health risks, quality of life, financial burden, mental health consequences, federal funding, health care expenses, care management transparency, resources, services, equality, disability rights