Reform Care For Mentally Disabled

In a recent op-ed of the San Antonio Express News is an elucidating article about the current funding and future for the disabled and aging. Though the targeted audience is the Texas voter, the impact would be to assist the Texas legislators to rethink getting reform for both state and private facilities dedicated to providing services for both the aging and the disabled populations. The two main targeted topics the author states are  that legislators will no doubt have to address finding funding and creating an effective way to monitor the care for these Texans in need.

The article highlights that current standards don’t seem to address the discrepancies between providers, nor do they address the fiscal needs. It also uses statistics gathered by AARP,  sharing that Texas ranks “third from the bottom” in quality care for the disabled and elderly. With a statistic like this, it is no wonder that the Sunset Advisory Commission report is concerned about the Department of Aging and Disability (DADS) that has apparently appeared imprudent in over-spending for 13 facilities in Texas while ignoring the majority of other facilities that are in dire need. One of the most unsettling points that the author makes in this article suggests that the overwhelming fact that not only are the needs of helpless people not being met, but there are approximately 38,000 flagrant violations made by the thousands of providers in which the staggering majority have not been resolved. In fact, a mere 225 cases have received any action.

With this vast discrepancy between state and private expenditures and quality of services, I agree that it is vital for the state lawmakers to address this issue during the next legislative session.  Though the article briefly touched on the overwhelming numbers of disabled or aging people who are not receiving services, the author could have discussed in greater detail statistics that would make this plea for help more potent. From a more positive perspective, this article employs a shock value that suggests the dire need to make changes on behalf of disabled and elderly people. I appreciate having this come to my attention, and feel the safety and well-being of citizens who cannot effectively act on their own behalf is in jeopardy and needs to be ameliorated as soon as possible.