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Martin consent order filed by parents; Orginal would devastate developmental centers

Sept. 30, 2004 - Attorneys for the parents recently filed their version of the Martin Consent Order that protects developmental centers and private facilities.

Now, the Ohio Department of MR/DD and Ohio Legal Rights have two weeks to respond to the parents' motion.

Parents say the new version of the Consent Order will allow them to keep their loved ones in the developmental centers.

The original Martin lawsuit consent order filed by Ohio Legal Rights and ODMR/DD would devastate the developmental centers and the entire MR system. The parents oppose the orginal version of the consent order because it would:

• eliminate the Medicaid funding for developmental centers and private Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MRs) and replace it with waiver funds.

• eliminate choices for parents, not provide choice.

• mean the loss of as much as $100 million in federal Medicaid match money to Ohio.

• eliminate the financial supports for DCs and cause them to close.

• not include a guarantee that individuals can remain in the facility they currently live in.

• rely on a waiver that has not yet been developed and does not exist.

• do nothing to address individuals on county waiting lists who are not being served.

• depend on legislators to do away with the Medicaid funding for the developmental centers in the 2006-2007 budget.

See Related

Consent Order (PDF)

Fact Sheet (PDF) - Key points regarding the Martin Consent Order

Take Action - Urge Governor, legislators to keep mental retardation centers open; Facts, not politics, should determine fate of centers

The Ohio League for the Mentally Retarded

The Ohio Provider Resource Association