Study Examines the Economic Impact of NOW/COMP Waivers

The Georgia Healthcare Policy Center (GHPC) at Georgia State University is researching whether the money spent on services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) is worth it.

This is also known as the return on investment, or ROI. These services are funded through NOW/COMP Waivers. The study aims to show lawmakers and the public the real benefits of this funding, both direct and indirect, so they can better understand why these services are important. The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) provided a grant to make this research possible.

Daniel Lanford, assistant project director at GHPC, said their work looks at three key areas:

• How waivers improve people's quality of life by helping them live more independently, find jobs, and participate in their communities.
• How waivers ease the burden on family members by reducing caregiving responsibilities and helping them stay in their jobs.
• How waivers help avoid more expensive care, like nursing homes.

"We are also looking at how these waivers generate additional economic activities, such as employment, that ultimately increase earnings potential and state tax revenues," said Lanford.

Georgia approved 500 new NOW/COMP waivers during this year's legislative session. That is a step forward, but more than 7,800 people are still waiting for one. More waivers and better access to these services are still needed.

A key concern is that lawmakers may worry about the cost of funding more waivers. This study aims to show that the benefits outweigh the costs.

"At the end of this project, we should have an educated estimate of a dollar amount that Georgia gets back from funding these waivers," said Rena Harris, chief program officer at GCDD. "If Georgia invests $100,000 in a person, the state might get back more than that amount because the person can get employment supports. And that enables them to have a competitive job and pay taxes. The waiver also employs Direct Support Professionals and allows family members who are also caregivers to keep their own jobs, bringing in even more tax revenue."

The study is just beginning and is an important first step toward making sure that all Georgians with I/DD get the care they need and deserve. The study also ensures that lawmakers understand the positive impact that funding more NOW/COMP waivers has on Georgia's economy.

"Trying to get more waiver slots by saying, 'It's the right thing to do,' doesn't necessarily work in this economic climate. The truth is, it is a worthy investment, and we need to show it," said Harris. "We hope that we will be able to bring the message to legislators that, for every dollar amount the state invests in a waiver, Georgia gets a greater ROI. It makes good business sense to invest in the NOW/COMP waiver for Georgians with I/DD."