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Disability will touch the lives of most Californians The Disability Health Coalition is a coalition of organizations with thecommon goal of increasing access to health care for people with disabilities. Link
7.8 million California adults – more than 1 in 4 – live with some kind of disability. That figure will dramatically increase in the next 30 years as the baby boom generation enters late life, the time of greatest risk of disability. 1.1 million working-age Californians with disabilities – 1 in 5 – have no health insurance; 1.5 million were uninsured during all or part of the previous year. Remove Barriers to Physical & Programmatic Access: People with disabilities must be able to use all health care facilities, services, and programs. Health care facilities must provide accessible exam and diagnostic equipment to ensure quality care for people with disabilities. Health plans and health care providers must be held accountable to federal and state laws that prohibit disability discrimination and require access and accommodation. Guarantee Integrated Long-Term Care: Fully funded, community-based, long-term care must be available in the home to support personal independence and family life. Services and medical supplies must not be limited by “homebound” requirements. Provide Durable Medical Equipment & Assistive Technology: Provide appropriate devices that allow consumers to independently engage in home and community activities. Providers must assist with selection and use of devices. Coordinate Chronic Care Services: Health care services for people with disabilities are often disjointed. To increase continuity, a multi-disciplinary team approach must be used to coordinate the multiple services and providers needed by consumers. Eliminate Work Disincentives: Health care must be designed so people with disabilities do not have to choose between working and maintaining continuous, comprehensive health care. Promote Wellness: Reform must invest in health promotion and disease prevention efforts that account for the diverse needs of people with disabilities, including the prevention of secondary conditions. People with disabilities should have access to specialists and choice of providers. Guarantee Mental Health Parity: Reform must commit to assuring mental health coverage at the same level as physical health coverage. Ensure Affordability: Prescription drug coverage, premiums, deductibles, co-pays, and other out-of-pocket expenses must be affordable. DISABILITY HEALTH COALITION Disability will touch the lives of most Californians The Disability Health Coalition is a coalition of organizations with the common goal of increasing access to health care for people with disabilities. Breast Health Access for Women with Disabilities California Coalition for Mental Health California Council of Community Mental Health Agencies California Disability Community Action Network California Foundation for Independent Living Centers Californians for Disability Rights, Inc. Center for Disability Issues and the Health Professions Central Coast Center for Independent Living, Salinas Community Research for Assistive Technology Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund Disability Rights Legal Center FREED Center for Independent Living, Grass Valley Independent Living Resource Center of San Francisco Independent Living Resource Center, Santa Barbara Lighthouse for the Blind & Visually Impaired Mental Health Association in California The Alliance for Technology Access Traumatic Brain Injury Services of California
If you are interested in more information or would like to JOIN the Disability Health Coalition Please Contact Us! (916) 325-1690 V (916) 325-1695 TDD
Disability Access Services Provided by California Health Plans Most Americans will experience a disability at some time during their lives. In addition, over 25 million family members provide personal assistance and care. Because of their affiliation with health plan members with disabilities, many of them could potentially become members. Recognizing the tremendous impact the delivery of health care services has on the lives of people with disabilities, the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers examined health care service delivery for the California Office of the Patient Advocate.
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