The State of Medical Care for Adults With Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Disability Studies
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDDs) experience persistent health disparities and limited access to quality medical care.
• Existing care models for this population have seen slow progress, with insufficient data on effectiveness.
• Healthcare professional education in the U.S. inadequately prepares practitioners to serve adults with IDDs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review persistent barriers to accessible and responsive medical care for adults with IDDs.
• To examine healthcare models developed for adults with IDDs since 2000.
• To explore Medicaid Managed Care as a potential financing solution for care obstacles.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on healthcare access for adults with IDDs.
• Analysis of care models designed for adults with IDDs.
• Examination of healthcare policy and financing mechanisms, including Medicaid Managed Care.

Main Results:

• Significant barriers persist in accessing and receiving adequate medical care for adults with IDDs.
• The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected adults with IDDs, increasing morbidity and mortality.
• Current healthcare policies and financing structures are not responsive to the needs of this population.

Conclusions:

• Urgent improvements are needed in medical care access, professional training, and policy for adults with IDDs.
• Innovative care models and financing solutions, such as Medicaid Managed Care, show promise.
• Addressing systemic issues is critical to improving health outcomes for adults with IDDs.