Ohio House Passes Resolution Addressing Federal Guidance for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

State Representative Mark Romanchuk (R-Ontario) today applauded the Ohio House’s passage of legislation he jointly sponsored that urges the federal government to revise its guidance on employment services for individuals with developmental disabilities and ensure their right to participate in facility-based programs.
 
There is growing concern that regulations adopted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) significantly change the home and community-based services offered by the Medicaid waiver program, which will reduce opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to participate in facility-based day programs, training centers, and sheltered workshops.
 
House Concurrent Resolution 21 strongly urges Congress to request that the CMS reconsider changes concerning participation in facility-based day programs and permits individuals with developmental disabilities to freely choose the settings in which they wish to receive employment services.
 
“While the choice to live and work in the community is important, so too is the choice of continuing to be served in a sheltered setting,” Romanchuk said.
 
HCR 21 passed unanimously and now goes to the Senate for further consideration.