To: Greta Neubauer (WI-66) and Robert W. Wirch (WI-22)
Stop Walker's cuts to programs that let WI disabled lead autonomous lives
Please ask your state representative to save IRIS from Scot Walker's budget cuts. IRIS helps Wisconsin's disabled live autonomous, self-directed lives, instead of being committed to nursing homes.
Why is this important?
Sooner or later, you or someone you love will become disabled. Maybe you know someone now--a parent, friend or other loved one. Being able to remain autonomous and direct our own lives is what gives our lives meaning, instead of being warehoused in a nursing home with limited options decided by others.
IRIS allows disabled people to stay in their homes. The IRIS program is a Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services waiver for self-directed, long-term support. The program is an option for adults with long term care needs.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Long Term Care (DLTC), Office of IRIS Management under the authorization of the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) is responsible for oversight of the IRIS program. IRIS is available to Wisconsin residents determined financially eligible for Medicaid, functionally in need of nursing home or Intermediate Care Facility, and/or Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID) level of care; and living in a county where managed long-term care and IRIS are available. People who are eligible have the choice of IRIS or managed care through their local Aging and Disability Resource Center. The participant has the flexibility to design a cost-effective and personal plan.
IRIS provides an alternative to institutional managed care. Nursing homes are quite frankly a big and often faceless business, and who hasn't read the horror stories what happens inside them. Anyone who loves life will do their best to stay out of one as long as possible.
People who choose IRIS design a waiver-allowable Individual Services and Supports Plan to meets their functional, vocational, and social long term care needs. Wisconsin has Medicaid Home and Community Based Services waivers 1915(c) and the Self-Directed Personal Care State Plan Amendment 1915(j) approved by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. These CMS approved applications define the types of services and goods included in the IRIS program.
Disabled persons enrolled in IRIS are able to manage goods and services to meet their long term care needs and goals. IRIS funding waivers allow eligible recipients to remain in the community and avoid institutionalized care. IRIS program recipients are supported in self-direction by IRIS Consultants and Fiscal Employer Agents. IRIS creates jobs for caregivers outside of institutional settings, and serves the disabled population.
Cutting IRIS won't make the disabled go away, but it will certainly make their lives more difficult. Scott Walker's Medicare/Medicaid cuts would kill the IRIS programs, forcing many disabled persons to sell their assets and move into managed care facilities where their quality of life is considerably more limiting and bleak.
Please ask your local state representative to tell Scot Walker to preserve the IRIS program from budget cuts.
IRIS allows disabled people to stay in their homes. The IRIS program is a Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services waiver for self-directed, long-term support. The program is an option for adults with long term care needs.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Long Term Care (DLTC), Office of IRIS Management under the authorization of the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) is responsible for oversight of the IRIS program. IRIS is available to Wisconsin residents determined financially eligible for Medicaid, functionally in need of nursing home or Intermediate Care Facility, and/or Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID) level of care; and living in a county where managed long-term care and IRIS are available. People who are eligible have the choice of IRIS or managed care through their local Aging and Disability Resource Center. The participant has the flexibility to design a cost-effective and personal plan.
IRIS provides an alternative to institutional managed care. Nursing homes are quite frankly a big and often faceless business, and who hasn't read the horror stories what happens inside them. Anyone who loves life will do their best to stay out of one as long as possible.
People who choose IRIS design a waiver-allowable Individual Services and Supports Plan to meets their functional, vocational, and social long term care needs. Wisconsin has Medicaid Home and Community Based Services waivers 1915(c) and the Self-Directed Personal Care State Plan Amendment 1915(j) approved by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. These CMS approved applications define the types of services and goods included in the IRIS program.
Disabled persons enrolled in IRIS are able to manage goods and services to meet their long term care needs and goals. IRIS funding waivers allow eligible recipients to remain in the community and avoid institutionalized care. IRIS program recipients are supported in self-direction by IRIS Consultants and Fiscal Employer Agents. IRIS creates jobs for caregivers outside of institutional settings, and serves the disabled population.
Cutting IRIS won't make the disabled go away, but it will certainly make their lives more difficult. Scott Walker's Medicare/Medicaid cuts would kill the IRIS programs, forcing many disabled persons to sell their assets and move into managed care facilities where their quality of life is considerably more limiting and bleak.
Please ask your local state representative to tell Scot Walker to preserve the IRIS program from budget cuts.