Bill Aims to Transfer People with Disabilities to Communities Died Again

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Intro:	One of the measures that failed in Missouri's legislative session would have accelerated transfer of patients in developmental disabilities to community based facilities. Will want to tag out of this with a notice on the five-part feature series on the topic, if you intend to run the series.
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Wrap: Republican Representative Zachary Wyatt from Northeast Missouri says, for people with developmental disabilities, a community based living provides more freedom than institutional facilities.

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Description: "People with disabilities, they didn't ask for it. So we have to be able to care for everyone in Missouri that might not be able to care for themselves."

However, some family members opposed his bill because they want their relatives staying in institutional facilities.

They argue the facilities provide better service and oversight than community group homes.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Tong Gao.

Intro:	For the second legislative session in a row, Missouri lawmakers debated but took no action on proposals to revise placement of persons with developmental disabilities. Will want to tag out of this with a notice on the five-part feature series on the topic, if you intend to run the series..
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Wrap: Northeast Missouri Republican Representative Zachary Wyatt says his bill was to make sure each individual would have a smooth transition plan when they are moving from institutional facilities to communities.

Although the bill would not close the institutions, some family members with relatives living in habilitation centers still opposed it.

Mary Vitale has a brother living in Bellefontaine Habilitation Center.

She testified in front of the legislative committee during the past legislative session.

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Description: "I don't think it's even necessary because no one wants to move out of the habilitation centers, and anyone who wants to move out can move out. There's already a transition plan for them."

The House committee took no action on the bill. A similar measure was defeated in the House in 2011.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Tong Gao.