Lawmakers hear pleas to restore funds for disabled

CARSON CITY -- Two men in wheelchairs and an advocate for the handicapped pleaded with the budget committees of the Legislature Monday to restore $500,000 that could keep physically disabled adults out of nursing homes.

Jim Boschacci, confined to a wheelchair for three years, said the state's program has "allowed me to live independently. Otherwise I would have been in an institution."

Mary Jean Thomsen, an advocate for the Center for Independent Living in Northern Nevada, told the committees the money had been appropriated in 1997, and the state had been directed to get a waiver from the federal government to allow funds from Medicaid to be added to the amount.

That would have helped more than 50 individuals to live independently instead of going to more costly nursing homes.

The state applied to the federal Health Care Financing Agency for the waiver, but it was initially denied and there was no follow-up. In the meantime, the $500,000 sat dormant. When Gov. Kenny Guinn came into office, he directed the money be returned to the treasury to help balance the budget this year.

"The money is there," Thomsen said. "We want the Legislature to give its verbal support."

Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, who worked to get the $500,000 in 1997, said his Senate Finance Committee would look into the matter.

State Budget Director Perry Comeaux told the committees the Department of Human Services submitted the application, but the federal agency returned it with questions. The application was not resubmitted.

He said any revival of the effort would cost the state $2.5 million a year, up from the original $500,000 for two years. Comeaux said the money was not available in this tight budget cycle to support the program.

Thomsen explained later the money is needed to provide home services to physically disabled adults. Without such care, some of them will be forced into convalescent centers.

She agreed the state was in a "Catch-22" position, since the federal government had turned down the initial application to qualify the individuals for Medicaid assistance. But she and the other handicapped want the state to try again.

Some disabled individuals are receiving the services under other programs.

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