During the pandemic, parents were able to serve as paid caregivers to waiver-eligible minors and we saw a myriad of benefits including less strain on the limited pool of for hire caregivers, family income stabilized as parents didn't risk losing jobs or staying home with zero income to take care of kids with complex needs, and no rise in costs as a parent being the paid provider does not increase access to services already approved.  We must reinstate and make permanent these provisions.  This proposed amendment - which is consistent with other CMS-approved plans - will make a huge positive difference for impacted families.

I further ask that consideration be given to how we can extend respite services to LRIs in a manner that is consistent with respite services that can be accessed by patients using the consumer directed option.  Parents who are receiving personal attendant payments for caring for their child are still caring for their child.  The physical and emotional challenge of providing that care is not lessened by those state payments.  The fiscal impact to the state of continuing to pay for both attendant care and respite hours is unchanged by who receives the check for the attendant care.

I am requesting DMAS to preserve the respite benefit as provided under the waiver regardless of the LRI/attendant status of the parent.