The state of Vermont ranks fifth in the nation in the percentage of Medicaid long-term care spending that allows the disabled to live in their homes and communities.
Statistics show that in 2012 67.5 percent of long-term care spending in Vermont was for people being cared for in a home or community setting.
The U.S. Supreme Court's 1999 Olmstead v. L.C. decision ruled unnecessarily segregating people in mental hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions amounted to discrimination. Advocates for the mentally ill, older people and the disabled cite the ruling in arguing for home- or community-based care.
Federal statistics show the percentage is up in every state.
Since 2002, the percentage spent in Vermont increased about 21 percent from 55.8 percent to the current 67.5 percent.
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