Legal Aid of Arkansas has scheduled two public meetings to help people who could use the ARChoices home-care services for the disabled.

Since 2016, the Medicaid program has used computer algorithms (specifics not publicly disclosed) to determine levels of care. Some people have experienced reductions in service as a result. Legal Aid will provide information on fighting reductions in service.

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Meetings will be from 1 to 3 p.m. June 7 at the East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging in Jonesboro at 2005 E. Highland Drive, #303. Another will be from 1 to 3 p.m. June 16 in Bentonville at the central library at 405 S. Main. Legal Aid will broadcast the meetings on its Facebook page.

Legal Aid says the program has been cut in half, from 8,000 people, since the use of the computer formula began. It contends people with disabilities like cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and quadriplegia have had cuts in services that have forced them to lie in waste, skip meals, stay shut in, miss medicine and go without other necessities.  The program is supposed to enable people to stay at home. When service is cut enough, it can force people into more expensive nursing homes.

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Legal Aid has twice sued the state successfully over the program changes. It won an order stopping the service cuts for seven people, but the state is appealing and that has delayed changes.

Further information is available by calling or writing Kevin De Liban at Legal Aid — 901-834-0436 or kdeliban@arlegalaid.org

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