Services for MR/DD Citizens

August 25, 2005 Services for MR/DD CitizensLouisiana spends more on institutional and less on community-based developmentally disabled services than the nation. In 1998 (the most current comparative data) the U.S. spent 28% of its total MR/DD budget on institutional care and 72% on community services, whereas Louisiana spends 41% of its MR/DD budget on institutions and 59% on community services. Other statistics further illustrate this 'institutional bias' in Louisiana's MR/DD service mix. When compared to other states, Louisiana ranks 42nd in the proportion of total MR/DD spending allocated to community services 37th . . .