H.R. 8863 "Words Matter Act"

A group of Congressional leaders have decided to address the archaic words "Mental Retardation" in a new House of Representatives bill. The new bill would effectively remove the words "Metnal Retardation" from all government references within U.S. Code.

Most people working in the field of Intellectual Disabilities left the words "Mental Retardation" in the dust a long time ago. Even before Rosa's Law A Short Look at Rosa’s Law and What it Changes many people had dropped the terminology from daily use. Those deciding not to use the outdated and misued terms, started using terms such as "People with disabiliites" or "Disabled individuals" or one of the best, just "People." Now, over ten years since President Obama signed Rosa's Law, "Mental Retardation" is still being used in U.S. Code and by many in public. It's not unsual to find a physician or psychologist still clinging to the diagnosis of "Mental Retardation." It's not really any one person or groups fault, the words "Mental Retardation" have been in use since the 1960s and have been a cornerstone of diagnosis since that time.

Rosa's Law came into being not because "Mental Retardation" was a bad term, but because it was a misued term. The words was often modified and used in slang and for crulty. People would say things like "You're so 'retardaded" or "You're a retard" and many other variations. Ironically, it was the same misues of medical terminaology that caused "Mental Retardation" to be implemented in the 1960s. Prior to that period of time, dianogisis for people with Intellectual Disabilities was based on words like "Idiot," "Moron," and "Imbecile." If you're like me, you likely cringed when you read those words, but before the 1960s, they were in common use and very accepted by society and the medical field. Unfortunately, those words were also in common misuse.

Perhaps the best thing to say about H.R. 8863 "Words Matter Act" is "it's about time." Rosa's Law has been in place for over ten years. Most of us in the field have moved to the use of "Intellectual Disabilities" or "Developmental Disabilites" for our reports, terminology, and everyday use. It's time for the government to catch up with the rest of us.

Much like the 1960s and 2013, I suspect that in the future "Intellectual Disabilites" will be misued. I do not think this is the last time society will have to address the misuse of a medical diagnosis for slang and name-calling. It seems like society has to address this issue about every fifty years. While I will not likey be around to see the next transition for the diagnosiis, it would be nice to hope for a time when laws do not have to be implemented to address the slang and misuse of a diagnosistc word for a disability which affects so many beautiful and outstanding people.

COVID and The Future

 

Let's face it, COVID is here to stay.  Regardless of the removal of masks mandates, the return to routine life, and even the fight to keep public schools open, COVID is still touching people's lives around the nation.  Some have mild cases of a COVID, while others face life-threatening mutations and the potential of life on a vent.  A person may have a mild case of COVID with no symptoms, and six months later, that same person may end up in a hospital.  There is simply no way to tell at this point how COVID may affect you. 

We are still in the reporting stage for COVID and the Infection Control stage in Texas.  An ICF facing a COVID outbreak - defined as one resident or one staff having a COVID positive test result - must call the reporting hotline.  Once the facility calls the reporting hotline, they are told to email the report to the state through the reporting system.  The steps for reporting and results of that report have been explained in several provider letters, but a brief review is: 

1.  Call to report - get told the email to send the report to Austin.

2.  Report to the email address providing the needed information such as vendor number, etc.

3.  Continue infection control procedures and follow your facility plan.

4.  Within 5 days, send in the investigation report.

5.  Usually, within 24 hours, expect an on-site visit from HHSC to review your Infection Control procedures. 

Because COVID is constantly changing and mutating, the above procedures in Texas are not likely to go away anytime soon.  Therefore, self-Reporting, Infection Control, and entry screening will be the norm for some time to come.  

As a facility, there are several things you can do to help minimize a COVID outbreak.  First, all facilities should consider the following: 

1.  Is the infection control procedures up-to-date and effective?

2.  Are we continuing to screen visitors, staff, and others entering the home - and documenting it?

3.  Are we watching for signs of COVID?

4.  Have residents been vaccinated, and have they received a booster?

5.  Has the benefits of vaccination been explained to staff and offered?

6.  Is the facility prepared for an outbreak - for example, is a plan is in place? 

If we continue to focus on Infection Control, training, and we are prepared to act when a test is positive, we can get through this crisis.  The road ahead will be long and hard, but with proper preparations and planning, there will eventually be a time when we see COVID level off and perhaps even become a rarity instead of the norm.