It is hard to imagine a time without community based service providers such as Systems Unlimited. In the 1980’s, Julie Beckett found herself in that world where the only care that she could get for her daughter Katie was in a hospital. Katie developed viral encephalitis as an infant and would spend the next three years of her life there.
Julie began to advocate to change the rules of Medicaid so she could receive nursing services in her home. Katie would be able to grow up in a nurturing environment while costs to the Medicaid program would be much less. Her efforts took her to Congress and the White House where eventually the rules were changed so she could bring her daughter back to their Cedar Rapids homes. Thanks to Julie’s efforts, Medicaid Waiver programs have helped countless people living with disabilities stay in the community of their choice. To read Julie’s complete story, follow this link:
