A History of Making Long-Term Services & Supports Accessible.
1980
Mental Health Systems Act provides federal funding for ongoing support and development of community mental health programs with an emphasis on deinstitutionalization.
1981
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver program is enacted under Section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act, allowing states to offer home and community-based services that are not strictly medical in nature through Medicaid as an alternative to institutional care.
1982
Established under the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act, the Katie Beckett Medicaid state plan option permits states to cover children with disabilities living in the community; previously, these children were eligible for Medicaid only if institutionalized.
1990
American with Disabilities Act (ADA) signed into law. Prohibits discrimination and guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else.
1999
U.S. Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision promotes broader HCBS coverage for people with disabilities, per ADA’s community integration mandate.
2005
The Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005 (P.L. 109-171) made several changes to Medicaid policies governing state financing and provision of long-term care services. Among its other provisions, it created the Money Follows the Person (MFP) demonstration program.
2007
Connecticut awards a CMS grant for MFP program, which allows states to help remove barriers for people with disabilities who choose to receive services in the home.
2010
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides new access to health insurance and options to states under the Medicaid program to incentivize the improvement of their Long-Term Services and Support (LTSS) infrastructures and expand HCBS. Provisions include the Balancing Incentive Program, the Community First Choice (CFC) state plan option and an MFP extension, among others.
2013
As a result of ACA, Connecticut works to create a health insurance exchange, known as Access Health CT, that allows access to health care in the state through both private and public coverage options.
2013
Governor’s Rebalancing Plan
2016
Connecticut launches Community First Choice, an option provided by the ACA, which represents a huge shift in person-centered care. It promotes choice, purpose and meaning in daily life. The individual decides what his or her goals are.
2017
Connecticut uninsured rate dropped by 45% due to ACA / Access Health CT (according to the CT Health Foundation) .
2018
Connecticut reached goal of 5,000 people who have transitioned out of nursing homes and into the community through MFP.
2019
MyPlaceCT.org relaunch
