JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri (KCTV) — A report released in April by insurance marketplace website Policy Genius ranks Missouri 25th among states that best accommodate people with disabilities.
The website took into account several factors, including affordability, access to health care and economic conditions.
On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt spoke at a panel discussion before a nationwide group of disability rights organizations and providers.
The “Show-Me” State was recently the subject of a U.S. Department of Justice report that revealed that the state routinely subjects patients with severe mental disorders to years-long stays in nursing homes through abuse of the guardianship process.
“I have not seen the report, but in general we can do a lot better when it comes to mental disabilities,” Schmitt said when asked about the Justice Department report.
Schmitt stressed that more employment opportunities must be created for people with disabilities.
“Enabling disabled people to save in a way that does not penalize them for benefits they might otherwise receive is an important reform that I have advocated for in the past and will continue to do,” Schmitt said.
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Missouri’s junior senator also acknowledged that mental disabilities still carry a stigma and are often overlooked in conversations about public facilities and services.
Lydia XZ Brown is policy director at the National Disability Institute. She said that almost every single policy issue disproportionately affects the disability community and that the community itself is an extremely diverse group with different needs.
“People often come into the conversation with misconceptions and preconceived ideas about what a disability is and who is considered disabled,” Brown said.
For example, people with disabilities are more likely to live below the poverty line, are more likely to be affected by housing shortages or homelessness, are more likely to be victims of domestic violence or discrimination in the workplace, and are less likely to have secure retirement provisions.
“People with disabilities are affected by every single issue that affects every community that cares about the future of humanity and the well-being of society,” Brown said.
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