Some Stats
As of December 1994, according to the Medicaid Working Group, 3.5 million people are on SSI, and 2 million get Medicaid because they are medically needy. Of those on SSI 43% have physical disabilities, 28% have developmental disabilities and 29% have mental illnesses.
Under the age of 65 yrs
* 3.3 million people on SSDI
* 3.2 mililion people on SSI
* 671,000 adults on SSDI & SSI
A total of 7.2 million are on SSI and\or SSDI
In 1994 we spent $42 billion for Meidaid disability payments, $12 billion for Medicaid long term care.
By March 1995 there were 204 Medicaid waivers in effect.
HCFA Medicaid: An Overview (HCFA publication 10965) shows that in Medicaid paid for 68% of nursing home residents, over 50% of nursing home costs, and 52% of all nursing home expenses in the USA.
--- GAO Report HEHS 96-62 4/96 SSA Disability