Okla. Stat. tit. 56, § 56-1017.2: Legislative findings

The Legislature finds that:

1. Oklahoma has a successful home- and community-based services

program known as the ADvantage Waiver Program for the frail, elderly

and adults with physical disabilities age twenty-one (21) and over

who do not have an intellectual disability nor a cognitive

impairment. The ADvantage Waiver Program provides the following

services: case management, transitional case management, personal

care, advanced supportive/restorative, skilled nursing - home health

setting, RN assessment evaluation, occupational therapy, physical

therapy, respiratory therapy, speech/language therapy, adult day

health, personal care in adult day health, therapy in adult day

health, home-delivered meals, NF extended respite, in-home respite,

in-home extended respite, environmental modifications, hospice,

consumer-directed personal care assistant services and supports,

assisted living, and specialized medical equipment and supplies;

2. Many Oklahomans who could safely stay at home with cost-

effective home- and community-based services go into nursing

facilities the day assistance is needed because their eligibility

for nursing facility supports is "presumed" by the nursing facility,

while eligibility for home and community supports can take weeks or

months. If their circumstances are such that they need immediate or

urgent care, they lose their choice to live and receive their

services at home. Once they are in a nursing facility, they may

lose their home or the supports they need to stay at home; and

3. The cost of serving Oklahomans who are in nursing facilities

when they could be living and receiving services at home is

significantly higher than the cost of serving them with home- and

community-based services.