Needed:

A legislative solution addressing the widespread lack of access to quality health care for people with mental retardation

Problem

People with mental retardation often have extensive health challenges, but lack access to health care professionals.  Access issues include, but are not limited to -

ü      Financial: Limited resources.

ü      Accessibility: Health care providers are often reluctant to treat people with mental retardation due to communication challenges, perceived office disruptions, longer treatment times, and low reimbursement rates.

ü      Consistency: High turnover in community program staff means inconsistent health care treatment and follow-up appointments.

A Legislative Solution is Necessary

VOR seeks the introduction of legislation that will improve access to quality health care services for individuals with mental retardation. Some of our goals are: 

ü      Incentives for Medical Schools to include disability-specific curricula, including required rotations or residencies at residential and clinical programs serving people with mental retardation.

ü      Financial incentives for physicians, dentists, and other health care professionals (i.e., therapists) to include a percentage of people with mental retardation in the patient load, e.g., loan repayment, MR/DD specialty certification, research grants, etc.

ü      Endorsement of ICF/MR-based out-patient health care and evaluation clinics for people with mental retardation living in the community or in family homes. This is one proven effective way to enhance access to existing expert quality health care for people with mental retardation.

ü      Research that considers (1) the effectiveness of facility-based health care centers in delivering health care to home and community-based people with mental retardation; (2) the effect of caregiver fatigue and respite opportunities on individual well-being; and (3) outreach strategies to raise awareness of these concerns with the medical profession.

ü      Accommodation for ongoing public input into these issues.

VOR * 836 S. Arlington Heights Rd., #351 * Elk Grove Village, Illinois * 60007

877-399-4VOR ph. * 847-253-0675 fax * tamie327@hotmail.com