Opinion/Pisciotta: RI continues to fail those with disabilities

Laurie Pisciotta is the executive director of the Mental Health Association of Rhode Island.

In Olmstead v. L.C., the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states have an obligation to ensure that people with disabilities can live, work and receive support services in the least restrictive setting possible. An Olmstead Plan provides the framework through which a state intends to comply with this legal obligation. Rhode Island does not have a plan.

For years, our leaders have argued we can’t create an Olmstead Plan because we can’t afford to implement it. I believe Rhode Island can’t afford NOT to plan.

Our failure to plan means that people with disabilities who, if given proper support services, could live in the community, parent their children, be gainfully employed, or attend college or vocational school are otherwise left to fend for themselves, often unemployed or institutionalized, dependent on disability benefits, with little money to spend in the economy. Many individuals with severe mental illness cycle through hospitals, emergency departments, jail or homeless shelters at great public expense.

With determination and creativity, Rhode Island can fund an Olmstead Plan. Here are some ways.

Per the Affordable Care Act, nonprofit hospitals must provide a community benefit. In Massachusetts, the attorney general issued guidelines to hospitals requiring them to invest their benefit dollars in housing and community services. Let’s do this.

In Boston, UnitedHealthcare made a $5-million low-income housing tax credit investment to repurpose a vacant commercial building into an affordable-housing development with studio apartments, a medical facility, and onsite social services for homeless residents. Rhode Island can incentivize health insurers to make similar investments, which improve health outcomes and reduce costs for insurers, consumers and the state.

Approve Gov. Gina Raimondo’s Housing and Infrastructure Bond proposal. Pass the proposed “Revenue For Rhode Island” legislation, which would add a new tax bracket for incomes above $475,000 to generate $128 million in new revenues. Tax vaping and electronic nicotine delivery products. Use CARES Act funding for housing for older adults and people with disabilities.

State inclusionary housing laws require that 10% of every city and town’s housing units are below-market-value. Enable the Office of Housing and Community Development to levy fines against cities and towns that do not comply with these laws. Pass legislation to prohibit landlords from discriminating against Section 8 tenants, because one in three households using Section 8 vouchers are headed by a person with a disability. Tenants need to earn $17.51/hour to afford a one-bedroom apartment -- increase Rhode Island's minimum wage; limit rent growth.

Like decades ago during deinstitutionalization, reallocate funds through a “Transfer Contract Program,” to allow state funding to follow individuals in Eleanor Slater Hospital or prison into the community. Increase Rhode Island Lottery’s 9.23% contribution rate to the General Fund. Implement voluntary Olmstead Plan contributions during tax submission. Partner with foundations and businesses on creative fundraising (such as “rounding up the dollar”).

Use Medicaid billing codes to help pay for mobile crisis units, crisis lines and crisis services provided in non-hospital facilities. Increase the rate and maximum hours of service for housing stabilization services through Medicaid.

Retail centers stimulate the creation of low-wage jobs, thus increasing the demand for affordable housing; raise “linkage fees” on non-residential development to pay for affordable housing. Transfer vacant state-owned properties to private entities. Let state employees work remotely to save on energy costs and space. Create a culture in which every state department feels shared accountability for cutting costs.

Budget cuts and bureaucracy do not trump civil rights. States frequently have budget shortfalls, but that does not justify neglecting to plan for housing and support services for people with disabilities. We must establish an Olmstead Plan. Even if we cannot afford everything we need right now, the plan will enable us to seize opportunities when funds become available.

To join this conversation, register for MHARI’s virtual Town Hall on Nov. 17 at www.mhari.org.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Opinion/Pisciotta: RI continues to fail those with disabilities

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