Kentucky Together Coalition Video Highlights Need for Additional Funding for Medicaid Waiver Program

Kentucky Together, a coalition of individuals and groups in Kentucky, has banded together to draw attention to the need for comprehensive tax reform to create additional revenue in the state budget to invest in the future of their state. The coalition has created a series of videos, totaling ten so far, to highlight various programs and services in Kentucky that need additional funding. The overall purpose is to continue emphasizing the low-cost, high-quality support model the waivers provide for people, and to address the waiting list of over 7,000 participants in Kentucky. These videos are assisting the coalition in their appeals to the legislature to provide additional funding to these programs by demonstrating to legislators the impact these programs have on individuals and their lives.

The most recent video tells the story of Sherry, an individual who receives services through Participant Directed Services, an option under the Medicaid waiver system that allows individuals to hire staff to act as assistants to help them with a variety of community oriented tasks such as paying their bills, getting groceries, and going to the doctor. The video provides a glimpse of the daily life of an individual served in the program and emphasizes the cost-effectiveness of the program as compared to the costs related to institutionalization. The coalition is focusing on making videos about programs that will help create stronger communities, are of vast importance, and have a great return on investment for the state, the individual, and the community. 

The video provides an example of an advocacy tool INARF members could utilize to show the impact of your services on the individuals you serve. Additional tools to help Members plan for legislator outreach and visits can be found here. The 2017 Indiana General Assembly Session is a budget-setting session and all INARF Members are encouraged to build relationships with legislators prior to the new year to educate them on the importance of the funding Members receive. Advocacy videos are a great way to share that message. ​