TALLAHASSEE (AP) — State health officials met with federal investigators to discuss allegations the state is violating federal law by unnecessarily warehousing hundreds of children with disabilities in nursing homes.

Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Liz Dudek said her staff called the children’s parents and found that
14 percent were interested in exploring home care
options. But only one percent wanted to move the child back home after receiving more information.

Her staff met with Department of Justice officials Thursday.

Dudek says the state pays for all medically necessary services for children and that parents ultimately decide whether to place the child in a nursing home.

Parents say they have no other option because the state has slashed in-homes services including nursing care for critically ill children on ventilators and feeding tubes.