California has long made a promise that distinguishes it from much of the nation. Through the Lanterman Act, our state recognizes that people with developmental disabilities have a right to receive the supports necessary to live in their communities instead of institutions.
Today, that promise deserves reaffirmation.
The federal government is adopting new Medicaid community engagement requirements and refining how disability-based exemptions are administered. At the same time, California is implementing major reforms to the Self-Determination Program, including standardized spending plans, statewide definitions of cost effectiveness and greater administrative oversight…