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News Release

HHS APPROVES TEXAS PLAN TO ALLOW
ELDERLY, DISABLED TO DIRECT THEIR OWN SERVICES

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today approved a Texas plan to allow seniors and disabled Americans receiving Medicaid home- and community-based services to choose and contract for their needs directly.

The approved change will allow elderly persons and those with disabilities the option to develop and manage their own personal assistance and respite services. Participants in this special program currently receive services that are arranged for them by the local social services agency. This amendment will allow participants to design their own programs, choose their own assistants and set wage rates for different types of care. Technical assistance will be provided to help participants implement their service plans and manage financial obligations for supports and services.

"Texas is setting the right example by giving people with disabilities the right to make their own choices for the kind of care and services that they need," Secretary Thompson said. "We are committed to working with states on innovative and creative ways to permit the elderly and those with disabilities to remain independent and at home."

Earlier this year, HHS' Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) developed an Independence Plus waiver and demonstration template for states to use in applying to create this type of program. The template is designed to help states promote self-directed care and offer them tools to design programs that enable participant choice and independence.

"Allowing persons with disabilities and their families to engage in 'self-direction' is a high priority for the Bush Administration," CMS Administrator Tom Scully said.

As former governors, President Bush and Secretary Thompson have made it a priority to make it simpler for governors to submit Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) waiver requests and to have those requests considered promptly. Since January 2001, HHS has approved waivers and plan amendments that have expanded eligibility to more than 2 million people and enhanced benefits for more than 6 million people.

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Last Revised: October 31, 2002