By: Nieto H.C.R. No. 74 73R4729 SMC-D CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The Options for Independent Living program began in 1-2 1985 as a state demonstration project developed by the Texas 1-3 Department on Aging; and 1-4 WHEREAS, This vital program provides necessary services so 1-5 that an elderly person can remain at home rather than be placed in 1-6 a nursing home; these services include homemaker and personal care 1-7 services, home-delivered meals, public benefits counseling, 1-8 education and training for caregivers, telephone assurance 1-9 services, respite care, transportation, and home modifications to 1-10 provide a safer living environment; and 1-11 WHEREAS, The Options for Independent Living program has 1-12 proven to be more cost-effective, humane, and productive than 1-13 traditional forms of caring for the elderly; it costs substantially 1-14 less per patient than nursing home care currently reimbursed by 1-15 Medicaid, resulting in less economic loss to the community, and 1-16 patients are much happier in their home environment; and 1-17 WHEREAS, The Texas Department on Aging is successfully 1-18 administering this program in 12 out of a potential 28 areas of the 1-19 state, with funding for this useful program provided by state 1-20 general revenue, federal sources, and contributions from health 1-21 care providers, families, and clients; and 1-22 WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature supports the continuation and 1-23 expansion of this fine program; now, therefore, be it 1-24 RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas 2-1 hereby direct the Texas Department of Human Services to seek a 2-2 Medicaid waiver in order to expand the services administered by all 2-3 of the Options for Independent Living programs; and, be it further 2-4 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-5 forwarded to the commissioner of the Texas Department of Human 2-6 Services as a formal expression of the sentiment of the Legislature 2-7 of the State of Texas.