COLUMBUS (December 13, 2006) - Governor Bob Taft, Ohio Department of Aging Director Merle Grace Kearns, members of the Ohio General Assembly and advocates for people with disabilities gathered today in the Statehouse Atrium to discuss successful initiatives to expand choice in long-term care. Legislative Briefing: "Benefit of Independence, Value for Ohio" also explored ways Ohio and the nation can continue to reduce institutional bias in care for the elderly and people with disabilities.

"More than six years ago, I asked key agencies responsible for services to people with disabilities to help me re-shape Ohio's approach to long-term care and reduce our reliance on institutions," said Governor Taft. "Together, we have made great strides in empowering consumers and giving them real choice and I hope that Ohio will continue to innovate to meet the needs and preferences of its citizens."

Most Ohioans, if given the opportunity, would choose to remain in their own homes and communities as long as possible. The vision of Ohio Access was to enable people of any means to access the long-term care services they need in their homes and communities. Bypassing institutional care promotes independence and allows the state to serve more consumers with the same money. In June 2001, Taft launched Ohio Access for People with Disabilities, an initiative to expand home- and community-based services, redesign existing systems and reduce the state's reliance on facility-based services.

Key Taft administration home- and community-based services accomplishments include:

The number of Ohioans receiving home- and community-based services has increased by 61 percent from 1999 to 2006.
Ohio's PASSPORT program allows nearly 35,000 Medicaid-eligible senior citizens to live independently in their own homes, rather than having to move to a nursing facility. Over the past eight years, access to the PASSPORT program increased by nearly 50 percent.
A new assisted living program will further increase options for 1,800 seniors and other Ohioans who may need elevated levels of care but want to avoid living in traditional nursing homes.

Director Kearns presented Taft with a special Legacy Award on behalf of the Ohio Access partner agencies, boards and commissions. The award recognized Taft's work to expand long-term care options in Ohio.

"Governor Taft recognized the institutional bias in Ohio's long-term care system early in his term and vowed to do something to reduce and ultimately eliminate it," said Kearns. "Through his leadership, Ohio has expanded existing programs, created new initiatives and responded to the changing needs of its citizens."

For more information on the briefing, visit www.goldenbuckeye.com/conference or for more information on Ohio Access, visit www.ohioaccess.ohio.gov.

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Media Contacts: Mark Rickel, Governor's Press Secretary at (614) 644-0957,
or Aaron Bryant, Ohio Department of Aging at (614)728-0253

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