As a future candidate for Governor of Arkansas, I am committed to advancing a comprehensive policy agenda that prioritizes the rights and well-being of individuals with disabilities across our state. Through proactive leadership and legislative action, I will champion initiatives aimed at empowering the disability population and fostering a more inclusive and supportive society.

Legislative Agenda:

1. Enhanced Medicaid Funding: I will propose legislation to increase federal funding for the Arkansas State Medicaid Program, ensuring that individuals with disabilities have access to quality healthcare services without financial barriers. By expanding Medicaid coverage and improving reimbursement rates for providers, we can enhance healthcare access and outcomes for the disability population.
2. Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Reform: I will advocate for the overhaul of the existing HCBS waiver system to prioritize individual choice and autonomy in care decisions. This legislation will include provisions to empower individuals with disabilities to select their waiver providers, manage their care budgets, and exercise greater control over their support services. Additionally, I will work to streamline the waiver application process and eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic barriers to access.
3. Direct Care Worker (DCW) Empowerment: Recognizing the vital role of direct care workers in supporting individuals with disabilities, I will propose legislation to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions for DCWs. This includes advocating for increased funding for wage enhancements, training programs, and career advancement opportunities within the direct care workforce. By valuing and investing in the caregiving profession, we can ensure a more stable and skilled workforce to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities.
4. Oversight and Accountability for Service Providers: I will push for legislation to enhance oversight and accountability measures for service providers licensed to deliver HCBS waiver services. This includes establishing mechanisms for direct supervision by individuals served and their families, as well as stringent compliance with state and federal regulations. By holding service providers accountable for delivering high-quality, person-centered care, we can safeguard the rights and dignity of individuals with disabilities.
5. Inclusive Employment Opportunities: I will work to pass legislation promoting inclusive hiring practices and eliminating barriers to employment for individuals with disabilities. This includes incentivizing businesses to hire and retain workers with disabilities, providing job training and placement services, and fostering partnerships between employers and disability advocacy organizations. By promoting workplace diversity and inclusion, we can unlock the full potential of Arkansas’s disability population and strengthen our economy.

Through these bold policy initiatives, I envision a future where individuals with disabilities in Arkansas have the support, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive and contribute fully to society. As Governor, I will be a tireless advocate for disability rights and inclusion, working collaboratively with stakeholders, legislators, and community leaders to enact meaningful change and build a more equitable and accessible Arkansas for all.

Overhauling the PASSE System: Putting Individuals with Disabilities in Control

In addition to enhancing Medicaid funding, I am committed to overhauling the current PASSE (Provider-led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity) system to better serve the needs of individuals with disabilities. Under my administration, we will undertake a comprehensive review of the PASSE system and work collaboratively with stakeholders to implement reforms that prioritize individual choice, autonomy, and empowerment.

This reform effort will include the development of legislation to dismantle the existing barriers and bureaucratic complexities that hinder the effectiveness of the PASSE system. We will streamline the enrollment process, simplify care coordination procedures, and enhance transparency and accountability mechanisms to ensure that individuals with disabilities have a voice in their healthcare decisions.

Furthermore, we will prioritize the rights of individuals with disabilities to make informed choices regarding their care providers, services, and support networks. This includes strengthening safeguards to protect against coercion, discrimination, and abuse within the PASSE system, as well as promoting robust advocacy and self-advocacy resources for individuals and their families.

Through these reforms, we will transform the PASSE system into a model of person-centered care and support that honors the dignity, autonomy, and preferences of individuals with disabilities. By empowering individuals to take control of their healthcare journey, we will build a more responsive and inclusive healthcare system that meets the diverse needs of all Arkansans.

Specifics on the Overhaul of the PASSE System policy agenda:

In pursuit of a more equitable and person-centered healthcare system, I am committed to spearheading a comprehensive overhaul of the PASSE (Provider-led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity) system, placing individuals with disabilities firmly in control of their healthcare decisions. Through bold legislative action and strategic collaboration with the reformed Secretary of Health and Human Services, we will enact transformative reforms that prioritize the needs and preferences of individuals with disabilities.

Legislative Disability Targeted Goals:

1. Increased Funding for the Disabled Community: I will work closely with the reformed Secretary of Health and Human Services to advocate for increased funding allocations specifically targeted towards meeting the healthcare needs of individuals with disabilities. This will include securing additional state and federal resources to support expanded access to essential services and supports tailored to the unique needs of the disability community.
2. Reducing HCBS Waitlists: Recognizing the urgent need to address waitlists for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), I will champion legislation to expedite the process of enrolling individuals into HCBS waiver programs and expand the number of available slots. By streamlining eligibility criteria and investing in capacity-building initiatives, we can reduce wait times and ensure timely access to critical supports for individuals with disabilities and their families.
3. Consumer-Led System: As part of the overhaul of the PASSE system, I will advocate for a shift towards a consumer-led model where individuals with disabilities have the ultimate authority over the management of their HCBS waiver services and Medicaid budgets. This will entail empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their care providers, services, and supports, as well as establishing a state-led commission comprised of individuals with disabilities to oversee and monitor the implementation of consumer-led initiatives.
4. Increased Medicaid Funding for Healthcare Access: In tandem with efforts to reform the PASSE system, I will prioritize increasing Medicaid funding to ensure comprehensive healthcare access for individuals with disabilities across the state. This will include launching a robust statewide initiative to enhance accessibility in every county, regardless of size or population density. By investing in accessible healthcare infrastructure, telehealth services, and community-based resources, we can ensure that individuals with disabilities have equitable access to the care they need, when they need it.

Through these legislative disability-targeted goals, we will usher in a new era of healthcare empowerment and inclusion for individuals with disabilities in Arkansas. By centering their voices and choices in the policymaking process, we can build a healthcare system that respects their autonomy, fosters independence, and promotes holistic well-being. As Governor, I am committed to championing these transformative reforms and ensuring that every Arkansan has the opportunity to live a life of dignity, opportunity, and fulfillment.

Maintaining Managed Care with Limitations: Balancing Needs and Autonomy:

While advocating for consumer-led reforms in the PASSE system, I recognize the value of the managed care model for individuals who require it. However, it is imperative that we strike a delicate balance between providing necessary support and upholding individual autonomy and choice. As Governor, I will work to ensure that managed care remains an option for those who need it, while implementing limitations to safeguard the rights and preferences of individuals with disabilities.

Maintaining Managed Care with Limitations:

1. Targeted Eligibility Criteria: To ensure that managed care is available to those who truly need it, we will implement targeted eligibility criteria based on the level of support required by individuals with disabilities. This will involve conducting thorough assessments to determine the appropriate level of care and support needed, thereby ensuring that managed care is reserved for those with the most complex healthcare needs.
2. Opt-In System: Individuals with disabilities will have the option to opt into managed care if they feel it aligns with their preferences and needs. However, participation in managed care will not be mandatory, and individuals will retain the right to choose alternative models of care management if they so desire. This opt-in system will empower individuals to make informed decisions about their healthcare options, while respecting their autonomy and agency.
3. Transparent Oversight and Accountability: We will establish robust oversight and accountability mechanisms to monitor the implementation of managed care and ensure adherence to quality standards and regulations. This includes regular audits, performance evaluations, and feedback mechanisms to assess the effectiveness of managed care programs and address any concerns or deficiencies that may arise.
4. Safeguarding Individual Choice: Above all, we will prioritize safeguarding the rights and choices of individuals with disabilities. This includes ensuring that individuals have access to comprehensive information about their care options, the right to choose their care providers and services, and the ability to change their care management preferences as needed. By placing individuals at the center of decision-making processes, we can uphold their dignity, autonomy, and well-being.

In conclusion, while maintaining managed care as an option for those who need it, I am committed to implementing limitations and safeguards to protect the rights and autonomy of individuals with disabilities. By striking a balance between support and autonomy, we can ensure that all Arkansans have access to quality healthcare services that respect their preferences, choices, and dignity.

Introducing CASSE: Empowering Consumers in Arkansas’s Shared Services

In alignment with our commitment to consumer empowerment and autonomy within the healthcare system, I will propose a transformative change to the existing PASSE (Provider-led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity) model. As Governor, I will spearhead the transition to the Consumer-led Arkansas Shared Services Entity (CASSE), a paradigm shift that places individuals with disabilities firmly in control of their healthcare decisions and support services.

The Vision for CASSE:

1. Consumer-Centric Focus: The transition to CASSE signifies a fundamental shift towards a consumer-centric approach to healthcare delivery. By placing individuals with disabilities at the helm of decision-making processes, CASSE will prioritize their preferences, needs, and autonomy in accessing and managing their care.
2. Empowerment Through Choice: Under the CASSE model, individuals with disabilities will have the power to choose their care providers, services, and supports based on their unique needs and preferences. This empowerment through choice ensures that individuals maintain agency over their healthcare journey, fostering a sense of dignity, independence, and self-determination.
3. Accountability and Transparency: CASSE will be characterized by transparent governance structures and robust accountability mechanisms, ensuring that individuals have a voice in the oversight and management of shared services. Through regular communication, feedback channels, and consumer-led decision-making processes, CASSE will uphold the highest standards of accountability and transparency.
4. Community Collaboration: CASSE will foster collaborative partnerships with community stakeholders, including individuals with disabilities, advocacy organizations, healthcare providers, and policymakers. By leveraging collective expertise and resources, CASSE will develop innovative solutions to address the evolving needs of individuals with disabilities and enhance the quality and accessibility of shared services.
5. Rebranding for Empowerment: The transition from PASSE to CASSE symbolizes a renewed commitment to consumer empowerment and inclusivity within Arkansas’s healthcare system. The name change reflects our dedication to putting consumers first, prioritizing their rights, choices, and well-being in all aspects of care delivery and support services.

In conclusion, the introduction of CASSE marks a pivotal moment in Arkansas’s journey towards a more inclusive, person-centered healthcare system. By empowering individuals with disabilities to take control of their healthcare decisions and support services, CASSE will not only enhance the quality of care but also promote dignity, autonomy, and empowerment for all Arkansans. As Governor, I am committed to championing this transformative change and ensuring that CASSE becomes a beacon of consumer-led excellence in healthcare delivery across our state.