As a Georgia voter who loves and cares about someone with a Intellectual/Developmental Disability, I urge the Georgia Legislature to value these citizens and provide adequate funding to meet their needs in community based services.

The current rates for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waiver are not enough to meet the needs of individuals receiving services. These people, the most vulnerable of Georgia’s citizens, deserve a life and supports that provide not only for their health and safety but also for inclusion into their own communities, activities of their choice and opportunities to develop relationships with others. There is no rate adjustment included in the currently proposed budget.

I urge you to support a 5% adjustment in the funding for the services individuals with developmental disabilities receive through DBHDD via the HCBS (COMP and NOW) Waivers.