Arkansas Medicaid Policy Changes Raise Concerns for Families with Disabilities
Families in Arkansas are expressing concerns over changes in Medicaid policies affecting those with disabilities. Laura Hellinga, a mother of a child with a rare joint disorder, moved to a more accessible home but was informed that her daughter's ceiling lift, previously covered by Medicaid, would no longer be funded. This lift is crucial for safely moving her daughter, who uses a motorized wheelchair. The issue stems from the Provider-Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity (PASSE) program, a Medicaid initiative for individuals with complex disabilities. The program, launched in 2018, currently covers over 46,000 Arkansans. However, many families, like Hellinga's, face long waitlists for necessary services. The Community and Employment Services Medicaid waiver, which could cover such equipment, has a waitlist of over 8,000 people. Advocates argue that the shift to managed care, focusing on cost-saving preventative measures, does not adequately address the needs of those with severe disabilities. 
