By KAREN LAGRANGE COX
Persons with developmental disabilities and the elderly may be at greater risk of being abused and neglected by their caregivers.
To help protect Louisiana’s most vulnerable citizens from abuse or neglect, Louisiana State Representative Rhonda Butler of District 38, and Louisiana State Representative Michael Echols of District 14 authored House Resolution HR 173. HR 173 passed unanimously in the House by every representative who was in attendance at the vote.
HR 173 of the 2023 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature directs the Louisiana Department of Health to collect statistics and information on reported abuse and neglect cases in specific Medicaid programs. The data will be used to plan a strategy for tackling abuse and neglect to prevent suffering from happening to our state’s most vulnerable citizens.
Butler states, “This study initiative is on abuse and neglect of persons with disabilities and the elderly. It is to study and develop recommendations regarding the most effective means of improving the quality of care and preventative services provided by our state government. No one wants to talk about neglect or abuse, but it is a reality. When families trust certain state programs that provide care for our loved ones, we should be providing the best we have to offer. Everyone has the right to live in a safe and nurturing environment.” [source: Facebook: State Representative Rhonda Butler]
Included in HR 173, “The existing rules promulgated to address the reporting of claims of abuse and neglect for the state’s Medicaid program of residents and clients of Medicaid providers of HCBS (Home and Community-Based Services), ICF-DD (Intermediate Care Facility for the Developmental Disabled), and ADHC (Adult Day Health Care).”
View / Download the full House Resolution 173
Please Help Make a Positive Change in
Ending Abuse and Neglect
If you see, know, or suspect abuse or neglect of someone with developmental disabilities, please immediately contact 911 to report it to the property authority.
The status of the resolution is currently pending for signature of the Louisiana Secretary of State.
