NCIL
National Council on Independent Living

Hill Report Form
2015 Annual Conference on Independent Living

NCIL is pleased with the passage of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the Reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act. One of the changes authorized by WIOA was the addition of a fifth core service: TRANSITION. Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are now the only organizations required by law to perform this valuable and cost effective service. Transition is defined in three parts: 1) transitioning individuals with disabilities from nursing homes and other institutions to community-based residences; 2) providing assistance to individuals who are at risk of entering an institution in order that they may remain in their community; and 3) facilitating the transition of youth with disabilities to post-secondary life, including employment.

Talking Points

In order to effectively carry out the additional core service as authorized by WIOA and to strengthen America’s Independent Living program, it has been determined that additional funding of $200 million will be required.
This $200 million funding request will restore devastating cuts to the Independent Living Program, make up for inflation costs, address the increased demand for independent living services and fund transition, the new core service.

Independent Living saves taxpayer dollars through home and community based services accessed through Medicaid or the private sector, allowing people with disabilities (including the ever-growing senior population) to remain in their own homes rather than living in costly nursing homes or other institutions. According to research funded by National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDDR) and the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid:

* Medicaid HCBS expenditures for personal care services, home health and 1915(c) waivers were $39 billion;
* Medicaid institutional costs were about $60 billion; and
* National average waiver costs per participant were $43,039 per year compared with $125,019 in institutional costs

Centers for Independent Living (CILs) will assist: people with disabilities to transition from nursing homes and other institutions to the community; people with disabilities who are at risk of entering institutions to remain in the community; and youth with disabilities to transition from school to adult life, including employment.

Notes from this and other NCIL priority issues discussed:

Please note if the Congress member or their staff request more information on a specific issue.
---