In 1947, Wendell and Edith Foster were determined to support their daughter, Louise, and seven other children in Owensboro, all of whom had disabilities. This was not the norm, nor was it popular, but it was their mission. Seventy-nine years later, Wendell Foster remains a nonprofit with that same mission: empower people with disabilities. It is my privilege and honor to witness and participate in that empowerment every day.
At Wendell Foster, we like to refer to that empowerment and successes as YES! Moments. YES! Moments are those times when you achieve something or reach a goal that causes you to celebrate and shout, “YES!” For the people we serve, it is taking their first step, saying “I love you” to their mom for the first time, driving after being told they never would, or living and thriving in the community. I have the privilege of seeing and celebrating these YES! Moments firsthand every day.
In the early 90’s, Wendell Foster recognized the need to serve the community with physical, occupational, and speech therapy, so we opened our outpatient therapy facility. A decade later, we recognized the need to expand again and become a provider of waiver services, offering a different form of support for people with disabilities. Kentucky’s waiver programs enable people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and others who need support to live in their homes and remain connected to their communities and families. Wendell Foster is proud that we provide more than 103,000 services each year to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Today, Wendell Foster and Kentucky are at a crossroads when it comes to supporting people with disabilities. Much of our funding support comes from Medicaid. Recently, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that many providers, including therapies and waiver programs, will suffer a 4% cut in Medicaid reimbursement beginning Aug. 1. Gov. Beshear stated that he must make cuts to Kentucky Medicaid to ensure the future of the program.
Thankfully, the Governor has discretion over how he approaches funding cuts: he can maintain funding for these programs that support over 20,000 of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable citizens, or he can cut Medicaid reimbursement rates for these lifeline services and put our system in jeopardy.
Currently, Wendell Foster and all providers in Kentucky are operating under Medicaid reimbursement rates below the levels recommended by a multi-year rate study conducted by the Department for Medicaid Services. Simply put, our therapy and waiver programs already operate at a financial loss today. Further reducing reimbursement rates would irreparably damage our fragile system of support, leaving people with disabilities and their families with limited or no choices.
Unlike other healthcare services, waiver services are solely funded by the Medicaid program. There are no other revenue sources to offset reductions. Reduced reimbursement rates would force providers to make difficult decisions about retaining staff and services. Any rate reductions will cause providers, including Wendell Foster, to reduce services, decrease the number of direct support professionals, or close programs altogether.
The hard truth is that cutting reimbursement rates for these critical services does not save money or decrease the need for support. When rates are cut, people with disabilities are often left with few options and are forced to seek care in far more expensive settings, such as hospitals, institutions, or nursing homes.
I call on Governor Beshear and state leaders to carefully consider the consequences of any Medicaid reimbursement cuts. Further cuts to rates that are already inadequate will jeopardize services and place Kentucky’s most vulnerable citizens at risk.
Now is not the time to place blame.
Now is not the time to point fingers.
Now is the time to rally to support those who need it most.
Now is the time to work together to help create and celebrate more YES! Moments for people with disabilities.
