[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 181 (Wednesday, November 15, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E2183]]


             A POSITIVE ASPECT TO THE MEDIGRANT DISCUSSION

                                 ______


                           HON. NEWT GINGRICH

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 15, 1995

  Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, I would like to encourage my colleagues to 
support the principles of home- and community-based services for the 
disabled and to urge States to consider these services as part of State 
initiatives to reform Medicaid through the MediGrant proposal.
  I have had a longstanding admiration for the ability of our Nation's 
disabled to bear the burdens imposed on their day-to-day lives and the 
difficulties they face. It is no wonder that individuals affected by 
disabilities, as well as their families and friends, have sought 
greater access to long-awaited advancements in providing care for the 
disabled. Although this process has been slow at times, we are 
beginning to see a mindset emerge that encourages personal liberties, 
not discourages them.
  I practice a management technique based on listen, learn, help, and 
lead. Well, I have listened to the disabled around the Nation and in 
the 6th Congressional District of Georgia where I have appointed a task 
force on disabilities. This task force has developed ideas that I think 
are thoughtful in addressing the needs of the disabled and which add a 
tremendously positive aspect to the MediGrant discussion.
  The task force believes that there currently exists a bias in 
Medicaid toward institutionalization and away from home- and community-
based services. While there are circumstances where 
institutionalization is the only viable choice, the task force believes 
that home- and community-based services should be the first option when 
appropriate for people with disabilities. I share in their assertion 
that no person should be forced into an institution to receive services 
that can be more effectively and more economically delivered in the 
home or community.
  The task force points to the fact that 31 percent of the current 
Medicaid budget goes to institutional long-term care and only 6 percent 
goes to community-based long-term care. Furthermore, they assert that 
the average cost of nursing home care per person is $38,000 annually 
and that allowing persons to remain in their homes and communities is 
more economical, as well as more humane.
  I hope that my colleagues will carefully consider these ideas on 
behalf of their constituents and help to empower individuals to realize 
their maximum freedoms and potentials.

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