Too many NC Citizens live in “Adult Care Homes”
Through the years, many advocates have questioned leaders in Raleigh about the legal legitimacy of these settings. Also, some have asked about the use of Medicaid to pay for medical services in these institutions, which do not meet criteria for use of these funds. Yet many of these facilities have done just that through the years.
One has to wonder why our legislators have for so many years protected the growth of this industry, restricting the rights of so many citizens. People have eventually thrown up their hands about this, the political forces and the money involved are so powerful.
But we must not give up. North Carolina citizens must ensure the safety, rights, and independence of those who have disabilities, whether short-termed or longer in duration. We should support clarification in our state’s Olmsted plan that ensures the rights of people to live in our communities as full citizens and no less. We should evaluate the actions of our legistators, monitor contribution patterns of those who may lobby for ongoing growth of the industry. And finally, we must develop a system whose services foster recovery, independence, and growth.
NC CANSO is committed to promoting systemic solutions that improve the quality of life for our brothers and sisters who live with a psychiatric diagnosis, a developmental disability, or an addiction disorder. We are glad that our leaders will now be focusing on this issue and stand ready to help in any way we can.
