Area Agency on Aging District 7
Praises PASSPORT Expansion
 

The Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. applauds Governor Strickland for ordering 1,100 individuals waiting for home care services through PASSPORT to be given immediate access to the PASSPORT program. The Area Agency on Aging District 7 is one of twelve area agencies in the state of Ohio.

Over 1,000 individuals and their families throughout Ohio will be relieved to know that they can obtain community-based services through Medicaid in lieu of entering other care settings.

Most people want to live in their homes as long as possible, and this announcement from Governor Strickland allows families that choice. It is good public policy to have an array of choices available at the time older individuals and their families are making tough decisions about long-term care.

“Closing off home care, the least expensive setting, did not make sense,” remarks Executive Director Pamela K. Matura of the Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. She goes on to state, “We recognize that the long-term care system must contain many settings to meet the different needs of our aging populations.”

The twelve area agencies on aging (AAAs) locally operate the PASSPORT system for those seeking assistance with long-term care needs. The system went statewide in the early 90’s to provide alternatives that families and individuals desire in a setting which is less costly to the state’s Medicaid program. The program was not fully funded in the current biennium budget and, thus, waiting lists have formed throughout the state. The AAAs are working to arrange services through their contracted providers of home and community based services for these individuals still waiting to be enrolled, as they become Medicaid eligible.