Sep. 13--More than one in four adult West Virginians has a serious
physical disability, the highest percentage in the nation, according to a
new study by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Nationwide, about 20 percent of adults are disabled. The study was based
on thousands of telephone interviews nationwide.

In the survey, a person was considered disabled if they said they were
"limited in any way in any activities because of physical, mental or
emotional problems" or had a health problem that required them to use
special equipment, like a wheelchair or special phone.

Age plays a role in why so many state residents are disabled, but it is
not the only factor. One-third of West Virginians between 45 and 64
reported a disability, compared to 38 percent of people over 65.

The next two states with high rates of disability were Kentucky and
Oregon. The lowest rates of disability were in Hawaii, North Dakota and
Illinois.

Certain other states with large elderly populations had far fewer people
with disabilities, such as North Dakota, where only 16 percent of adults
were disabled.

Other studies have shown a link between poverty and disability, suggesting
that being poor can lead to becoming disabled through poor nutrition and
health care. Also, West Virginia workers are more likely to become injured
on the job in industries like coal mining and timbering.

Disabled people in West Virginia were more likely to smoke and be
overweight. More than half rated their heath as poor or fair, compared to
only 13 percent of nondisabled residents.

The report came out during a week when disability issues were taking
center stage in the state Legislature.

Advocates for the disabled and elderly were expected to come to the House
of Delegates chamber at 10 a.m. today to protest Manchin administration
cuts in a program designed to let them stay in their homes, the Aged and
Disabled Waiver program.

On Tuesday, lawmakers heard from experts about another idea that could
keep disabled people in their homes, "Money Follows the Person."

The idea is that some individuals in nursing homes could take that money
and use it instead to stay in their own homes.

In Texas, the program saved money. People who participated in Money
Follows the Person cost the state 20 percent less than people in nursing
homes, according to Donna Folkemer, a policy expert from the National
Council of State Legislatures.

Participants also reported a higher quality of life, she told lawmakers
Tuesday.

A special committee of legislators is studying whether the state should
implement Money Follows the Person.

A bill that would have established the program passed the House of
Delegates earlier this year but stalled in the Senate after the state
Department of Health and Human Resources objected.

Disabilities advocates are putting pressure on DHHR Secretary Martha
Walker to apply for a federal grant that would provide enhanced matching
funds for Money Follows the Person.

The deadline is in early November.