Not allowing parents and spouses to be paid attendants is discrimination towards a specific group. This also infringes on provider choice and individual choice which are outlined in the Medicaid procedural rights and safeguards that was provided when approved for waiver services. This decision lines the pockets on agencies and takes money away from the families and caregivers since agencies pay attendant/caregivers and have to take our their cut. The rate is already so low that most agencies pay less than the consumer directed rate to their staff which in turn makes in next to impossible to find staff and have consistent care for the population the waiver system was developed to serve and keep at home.