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Table of Contents

1. Introduction.

2. What is Olmstead?.

3. Why is Olmstead important?.

4. State Olmstead plans and alternative strategies.

5. Olmstead and Olmstead-related lawsuits.

6. Key trends.

7. References.

8. Download PDF or Word document of entire report.

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Home and Community-Based PAS > Reports > Introduction to Olmstead Lawsuits and Olmstead Plans

State Olmstead Plans and Alternative Strategies (Table 1)

The Olmstead ruling suggested that states demonstrate compliance with the Olmstead decision by producing formal plans for increasing community integration. In 2001, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance concerning the process and content of this strategic planning initiative. The Olmstead Plans table presents findings from our exploratory study of developments in each state. Further analysis of the Olmstead plans is currently underway and will be posted when complete.

The presented data were collected using secondary sources and internet searches. This method was selected to avoid duplication of work conducted by other researchers and to enable an exploration of the literature that has the similar aim of providing accessible summary information about Olmstead planning. The limitation of this method is that the secondary sources and analyses may not provide all the data required to complete the priorities identified in this table. Therefore primary (web-based) research was undertaken, supplemented by direct contact (via email) with state officials and reference to the Olmstead plans themselves.

The most significant source of summarized information about Olmstead planning activity across the states is an annual report published by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)9. The report also provides some analysis of the themes arising from Olmstead planning activity across the states. The report and related NCSL work is available online at http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/oncslrep.htm. There are many other online resources relating to Olmstead-related activity10. An example of another publication providing thematic and state-by-state analysis of Olmstead-related activity is a report by the National Council on Disability (NCD)11.

It is important to note that the definition of an Olmstead plan is not clear-cut and that some states have (for various reasons)11,9 developed alternative approaches to Olmstead planning. Some states have displayed little specific strategic work12.

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