MARIETTA, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
American flags always fly outside the LaVoy home. Thomas LaVoy was trained as a medic in the U.S. Army. He now uses that training in his 24/7 job of taking care of his 81-year old mother.
Agnes LaVoy has Parkinson's Disease and other medical issues. Her health has rapidly declined over the past year.
"A lot of dipping down for love to find the energy," Thomas LaVoy said.
His primary assistant is his mom's dog, Blackie, who's always at her side. Thomas LaVoy said the healthcare system failed his mother.
"They worked their entire lives and paid into the system," Thomas LaVoy said.
He found the government program that would be the best fit and was told his mother was a top priority.
"I believe people should have what they want. She wants to be at home. Home is where her heart is. I was like, yeah, finally some help," Thomas LaVoy said.
CCSP or Community Care Services Program would allow his mom to stay at home and receive services. But, before his mom could start getting help, Thomas LaVoy found out the program had stopped taking new patients.
"I think things should be clarified more and be worked through more," Thomas LaVoy said. "It would be nice to get help because I'd love to be her son more and not just her caretaker."
The program is paid for with federal dollars and overseen by the state. The state said as of June 30, 2012 almost 10,000 individuals were participating in CCSP program and at that same date there were almost 1,300 people on a waiting list.
The Department of Community Health released a statement saying in part:
"All 1915c Medicaid Waiver Programs, including Community Care Services Program (CCSP), require CMS (federal government) approval for the total amount of waiver expenditures as well as the total number of waiver participants served each year. As of the end of June 2012, Georgia was nearing the end of the five-year waiver approval and had reached the capacity of the number of waiver participants approved by the federal government. If the state exceeds the approved number of participants, it is in serious jeopardy of being required to repay the federal portion of all claims paid for waiver participants in excess of the approved number."
The state anticipates enrollment in the re-start enrollment to program in October.
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