By Mannix Porterfield
Register-Herald Reporter
CHARLESTON — Two programs close to Delegate Rick Moye’s heart — the waivers in the Mentally Retarded-Developmentally Disabled and Aged/Disabled — come into play this week in preparing West Virginia’s new budget.
And with the House willing to pump $10 million extra into both programs, Moye is keeping a close eye on the budget-making process.
Lawmakers wound up the routine business at midnight Saturday, but are allowed, under Gov. Joe Manchin’s executive order, to stay at their desks another seven days to get the budget to his desk.
Ordinarily, the federal government puts up 70 percent of the cost of the two waiver programs, while West Virginia’s share is 30 percent.
With federal stimulus figured in, however, says Moye, the state’s share dips to around 11 or 12 percent.
Moye is a strong supporter of both MR-DD and the A/D waiver programs, since they allow those covered to stay in their homes, rather than go to nursing homes where the costs are much higher.
“Some of these folks may just need someone to come in a couple of times a week to help them bathe,” says Moye, D-Raleigh. “They might need help in separating their medication. There’s a variety of things. Without this assistance, some folks are forced into nursing homes.”
Inside the familiar surroundings of hearth and home, says Moye, the patients fare much better.
“I can say that with experience with my grandmothers,” he reflected. “Once you take them out of their element, they get confused. They aren’t happy and don’t do nearly as well.”
Numbers vary depending on several factors, but Moye says a patient can be treated for a year at home under the waiver programs for $10,000 to $17,000, while the bill at the nursing home soars in the neighborhood of $60,000.
Even with stimulus dollars, more state cash is needed, says Moye, since the state purchases slots, and there is no limit on them. The only stipulation is the state must have the money ready to make a purchase.
“It doesn’t mean we have to use all those slots,” he said.
Moye isn’t sure how many are in the program, but said the state is some 1,000 people behind in the A/D waiver program, meaning that many are on the waiting list.
If the $10 million is approved for it in the House version of the budget, Moye said the waiting list will be financed, with some money left over to take others in.
Moye has been a strong critic of the Department of Health and Human Resources.
Two years ago, in a floor speech, he chastised the agency for not funding the MR-DD and A/D programs when it had a $97 million surplus.
“The DHHR said that Moye is confused because we expect a deficit in two years,” he said.
“Lo and behold, it’s two years later, and instead of a $97 million surplus, it’s got $369 million surplus. I think the confusion is on the other side of the street here. How in the world can you do that — withhold services, one that saves the state money and helps our seniors and those on the MR-DD program to stay at home and get care and services they need? That’s just common sense.”
Moye finds it unacceptable that money is being held in the DHHR coffers when the needs are evident.
“We have people waiting to get on these programs that die before they get into them,” the delegate said.
“How do you justify that? How do you justify withholding services when you have the money? My hope is the House will hold the line and get it in the final budget when the Senate and House come together. I hope we’re willing to go toe to toe on that.”
— E-mail: mannix@register-herald.com
