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Answering the Question: What Has Medicaid Done for You?

/in /by Guest Blogger
Javi Guzman

Javi Guzman, age 17, has autism and a debilitating connective tissue disorder called Ehlers – Danlos Syndrome, type 3. He visisted with senior White House officials yesterday to talk about what medicaid cuts would mean to him.

By Linda Guzman, Assistant Director of Operations, The Arc of North Carolina

Riding the metro to the White House today, I had no idea what Javi and I would be in store for. My son Javi Guzman, age 17, has autism and a debilitating connective tissue disorder called Ehlers – Danlos Syndrome, type 3. We were going to the White House to talk to President Obama’s senior staff about how Medicaid has changed both Javi’s and my life.

What probably seemed like a simple question didn’t have a simple answer: “What has Medicaid done for you?” What is more telling is what we wouldn’t have if we didn’t have Medicaid. Without community based waivers, Javi wouldn’t be at home – he would most likely be in an institution to receive the care he needs. I wouldn’t be able to work, pay taxes, and be the citizen and mother that I am. Medicaid is our lifeline. With the services Medicaid provides, not only are Javi’s medical needs taken care of, he is learning important skills that will enable him to have the most independent and productive life possible.

I’m deeply appreciative to all those who to took time to meet with us today. I am especially grateful to Congressman David Price who stepped out of a subcommittee mark-up to listen to Javi’s and my story in the hallway, and even took an extra moment so Javi could get a picture with him.

Today showed me the strength of our voices and our stories. The officials we met with told us, “If Members of Congress could sit down with families like yours, they would stop seeing the world in dollars and cents.”

Its stories like mine and yours that will make our elected officials see things in true light, not just in spread sheets.

Join The Arc’s “Don’t Cut Our Lifeline” campaign, and make a difference.

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The Arc Urges White House Senior Advisors to Continue to Support Medicaid

/in /by Peter Berns

It was an emotional morning as the Keatons from West Virginia, the O’Briens from Georgia, the Rodriguezes from Texas, and the Brandts from Virginia shared their personal stories with Phil Schiliro, Assistant to the President and Special Advisor, John Carson, Deputy Assistant to the President, Jeff Crowley, Senior Advisor on Disability Policy, and Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to the President. What an important opportunity for The Arc to touch the hearts and minds of some of the most powerful people in government yesterday, and to show the faces of Medicaid, a program that is a critical lifeline for families with loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The Arc appreciates the support the Administration has shown for Medicaid and other programs vital to people with I/DD and urges the Administration to continue to champion these programs during the deficit negotiations.

The concern that Medicaid – which millions of people with I/DD rely on for health care and assistance with living in the community – is on the chopping block led us to create the “Don’t Cut Our Lifeline” campaign. In April, the House of Representatives passed a budget that would have disastrous consequences for members of The Arc, and we’ve been asking you to take action and contact your legislators to let them know how important Medicaid is to you and your family. The House plan included deep cuts to Medicaid, changed it into a block grant, and seriously harmed other vital programs. The Arc believes that the budget should not be balanced on the backs of low income people and those with disabilities, and Congress must consider raising revenue and ensuring that wealthy Americans and corporations pay their fair share.

The Arc appreciated the opportunity to meet with these high-level Obama Administration officials and for these families to share their story about how Medicaid has been critical to their daughter or son with I/DD and their entire family. Listening closely to the families’ presentations, the officials thanked them for providing real life examples of the enormous challenges they face on a daily basis, underscoring the importance of the critical public policy decisions that are being debated in our nation’s capitol. The tension in the voices of family members made clear that the budget debate isn’t about numbers, it is about people’s lives.

Without Medicaid, the lives of the Keatons from West Virginia, the O’Briens from Georgia, the Rodriguezes from Texas, and the Brandts from Virginia would be dramatically different. Some of these parents would have to quit their jobs, some would be forced to choose between keeping their loved one at home or moving them into an institution. Some would be forced into bankruptcy and potentially lose their home simply to provide for the health needs of their loved one. This is unacceptable to The Arc, and the White House staff we met with were visibly moved by each of these families.

We know there are millions more families like the Keatons, O’Briens, Rodriquezes, and Brandts across the country. There is still time to make your voices heard too – join our “Don’t Cut Our Lifeline” campaign!

About the Keatons of Milton, West Virginia

Amanda and Greg Keaton are parents of 18-month-old Graysen, who has DiGeorge Syndrome. DiGeorge syndrome is a disorder caused by a defect in chromosome 22, resulting in the poor development of several body systems. Graysen’s main medical conditions include two severe congenital heart defects – Tetralogy of Fallot and Pulmonary Atresia. In addition, Graysen has required a tracheostomy and ventilator support since 8 weeks old. Graysen spent his first six and a half months in the hospital, and his one year anniversary at home was June 21, 2011. In his young life, Graysen has suffered two strokes, undergone three open heart surgeries, a feeding tube placement, multiple heart catheterizations, and he hit the $1 million cap on his mother’s health insurance before he turned four months old. Graysen’s nursing care, specialized pediatric tube feedings, along with other important therapies and preventive medications and vaccines are covered by Medicaid through West Virginia’s Children with Disabilities Community Services Program.

About the O’Briens of Waycross, Georgia

Deirdre O’Brien has two children, including her 13-year-old daughter, Clare, who has significant intellectual disabilities. Clare also suffers from abdominal migraines, which are similar to traditional migraines but the pain is in the stomach and causes her to vomit continuously for days. Two years ago, Clare’s migraines became very severe, occurring nearly every two weeks. Her hemoglobin dropped severely, she missed a significant amount of school and her parents missed work to take care of her. During this period, the O’Brien family saw no alternative but for Deirdre to quit her job and stay at home in case her daughter became ill. The state of Georgia recognized Clare’s needs and she was granted a small Medicaid home and community based waiver, which allowed Deirdre to hire staff to help care for her daughter.

About the Rodriguezes of Tomball, Texas

Natalie and Ruben are parents of 31-year-old TJ, who was born with significant intellectual and developmental disabilities. TJ needs assistance with everyday activities like bathing, brushing his teeth, getting dressed in the morning, communicating effectively, walking, and preparing his meals. As he has gotten older, TJ’s mobility challenges have greatly increased along with his medical needs. Medicaid covers TJ’s neurologist, endocrinologist, rehabilitation specialist, occasional home care, speech therapist, orthopedic specialist, primary care, and his prescriptions. In addition, through TJ’s Medicaid Home and Community Services slot, which took nine years to receive, his parents have been able to make modifications to their home that allow TJ to live with them, like ramps and bathroom modifications.

About the Brandts of Springfield, Virginia

Carrin and Mitchell Brandt are parents of 10-year-old Bailey, who has an intractable (uncontrolled) seizure disorder, cerebral palsy, a history of aspiration and significant global delays. Bailey needs assistance and support with all daily living and recreational activities, and Medicaid helps pay for it. She has a shunt, a G-tube, and uses a communication device. Bailey has had more than five seizures daily, and Medicaid paid for her brain surgery to remove her left hemisphere for better seizure control. Medicaid has paid for over fifteen seizure medications, one of which was over $1,000 for a one week supply. She has had orthopedic issues, including a hip displacement and a leg length discrepancy. When Bailey grows older, she will need Medicaid for long-term support needs, such as residential and day support.

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FINDS Survey Facts to Support “Don’t Cut Our Lifeline” Campaign

/in /by Kristen Bossi

In 2010, The Arc conducted a national internet survey to capture the perspectives of people with intellectual and or developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their family caregivers. Much of the data supports The Arc’s Don’t Cut Our Lifeline campaign. The Family and Individual Needs for Disability Supports (FINDS) survey focused on issues including educational, housing, employment and support needs of people with ID/DD and their families. More than 5,287 family respondents participated in the survey; of these, three-quarters shared their home with a person with ID/DD. Overall, 95 percent of respondents were parents, siblings, children, grandparents or other relatives of a person with ID/DD.

Family caregivers in 2010 reported substantial ongoing challenges to providing lifelong supports to family members with intellectual or developmental disabilities. People with ID/DD and their families face very real challenges to achieving their aspirations for the future, and decreasing benefits from Medicaid will only continue to hamper such aspirations and millions of lives.

Supports provided by Family Caregivers

  • Most family caregivers (58%) provide more than 40 hours of unpaid care per week and 40% provide more than 80 hours of unpaid care per week. This interferes with their work (71%) and causes physical (88%) and financial strain (81%).
  • Nearly two-thirds of family caregivers (62%) are paying for some care out of pocket. Family caregivers struggle to find afterschool care (80%), reliable home care providers (84%) and community-based care (82%).
  • They report paying for more services out of pocket (47%) and providing more support than they used to (41%).
  • Fifty-two percent (52%) of families use Medicaid funds to pay for long term care services and supports, primarily through the Medicaid HCBS Waiver program;
  • People with severe ID/DD were more likely to have reported getting supports from a family member paid through the HCBS Waiver program (59%), while people with mild ID/DD were more likely to have received supports from a family member paid out of personal or family sources (56%), most often the personal income of a parent, family member or other caregiver.

Challenges

  • Family caregivers report that 25% of the people with ID/DD had no source of
  • income. Only 15% of the people reported being employed.
  • Overall, 62% report experiencing decreases in services and 32% were waiting
  • for government funded services, most for more than 5 years.
  • 20% of family caregivers reported that someone in the family had to quit their job to support the person with ID/DD.
  • More than 40% of family caregivers reported the person with ID/DD had unmet support needs during the last year for running errands or seeing a doctor (48%), managing finances (46%), transportation (45%) and household management (41%).
  • 43% report that schools have cut back on services such as physical, occupational or speech therapies;
  • Nearly two-thirds of all family caregivers worry that the person they care for might have to go somewhere they don’t want to live.
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Families of The Arc Meet With White House on Medicaid Funding as Budget Deal Nears

/in /by The Arc

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, families from West Virginia, Texas, Georgia, and Virginia joined The Arc at a meeting with Phil Schiliro, Assistant to the President and Special Advisor, John Carson, Deputy Assistant to the President, Jeff Crowley, Senior Advisor on Disability Policy, and Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to the President to discuss the impact on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) if deep Medicaid cuts are included in a budget deal. As President Obama continues to engage in deficit reduction talks, The Arc, the nation’s largest and oldest human rights organization for people with I/DD, and its members are calling on Congress and the White House to keep Medicaid and programs that support those with I/DD intact.

Medicaid provides a critical lifeline for people with I/DD. It provides assistance with living in the community, respite services, assistance with daily living such as help getting dressed, taking medication, preparing meals, managing money, and getting in and out of bed. Nationwide, state and federal Medicaid together provide over 75% of the funding for these services for people with I/DD. Medicaid is also the primary source of health insurance for people with I/DD and provides needed health care services such as prescription drugs, dental, physical therapy, speech therapy, prosthetic devices, wheelchairs and other health care services for eligible people. Private insurance is often unavailable or unaffordable for people with I/DD due to discrimination in health insurance, high unemployment, and other factors.

“The Arc had the opportunity to touch the hearts and minds of some of the most powerful people in government today, and our message was clear – don’t cut the lifeline for these families. Medicaid is crucial to the health, well-­being, and future of these families, and without it, they would be forced to quit their jobs or sacrifice much of the progress their children have made with support from Medicaid,” said Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc.

About the Keatons of Milton, West Virginia:

Amanda and Greg Keaton are parents of 18-­month-­old Graysen, who has DiGeorge Syndrome. DiGeorge syndrome is a disorder caused by a defect in chromosome 22, resulting in the poor development of several body systems. Graysen’s main medical conditions include two severe congenital heart defects -­ Tetralogy of Fallot and Pulmonary Atresia. In addition, Graysen has required a tracheostomy and ventilator support since 8 weeks old. Graysen spent his first six and a half months in the hospital, and his one year anniversary at home was June 21, 2011. In his young life, Graysen has suffered two strokes, undergone three open heart surgeries, a feeding tube placement, multiple heart catheterizations, and he hit the $1 million cap on his mother’s health insurance before he turned four months old. Graysen’s nursing care, specialized pediatric tube feedings, along with other important therapies and preventive medications and vaccines are covered by Medicaid through West Virginia’s Children with Disabilities Community Services Program.

About the O’Briens of Waycross, Georgia:

Deirdre O’Brien has two children, including her 13-­year-­old daughter, Clare, who has significant intellectual disabilities. Clare also suffers from abdominal migraines, which are similar to traditional migraines but the pain is in the stomach and causes her to vomit continuously for days. Two years ago, Clare’s migraines became very severe, occurring nearly every two weeks. Her hemoglobin dropped severely, she missed a significant amount of school and her parents missed work to take care of her. During this period, the O’Brien family saw no alternative but for Deirdre to quit her job and stay at home in case her daughter became ill. The state of Georgia recognized Clare’s needs and she was granted a small Medicaid home and community based waiver, which allowed Deirdre to hire staff to help care for her daughter.

About the Rodriguezes of Tomball, Texas:

Natalie and Ruben are parents of 31-­year-­old TJ, who was born with significant intellectual and developmental disabilities. TJ needs assistance with everyday activities like bathing, brushing his teeth, getting dressed in the morning, communicating effectively, walking,
and preparing his meals. As he has gotten older, TJ’s mobility challenges have greatly increased along with his medical needs. Medicaid covers TJ’s neurologist, endocrinologist, rehabilitation specialist, occasional home care, speech therapist, orthopedic specialist, primary care, and his prescriptions. In addition, through TJ’s Medicaid Home and Community Services slot, which took nine years to receive, his parents have been able to make modifications to their home that allow TJ to live with them, like ramps and bathroom modifications.

About the Brandts of Springfield, Virginia:

Carrin and Mitchell Brandt are parents of 10-­year-­old Bailey, who has an intractable (uncontrolled) seizure disorder, cerebral palsy, a history of aspiration and significant global delays. Bailey needs assistance and support with all daily living and recreational activities, and Medicaid helps pay for it. She has a shunt, a G-­tube, and uses a communication device. Bailey has had more than five seizures daily, and Medicaid paid for her brain surgery to remove her left hemisphere for better seizure control. Medicaid has paid for over fifteen seizure medications, one of which was over $1,000 for a one week supply. She has had orthopedic issues, including a hip displacement and a leg length discrepancy. When Bailey grows older, she will need Medicaid for long-­term support needs, such as residential and day support.

The stories these families have shared with the White House dramatically illustrate the findings from the The Arc’s recently released report Family and Individual Needs for Disability Supports (FINDS). The FINDS survey of nearly 5,000 family respondents demonstrates that families across the country have similar experiences. For example:

  • One-­third of parents and caregivers reported that they are on waiting lists for government funded services, with the average wait more than five years.
  • One out of five families report that someone in the family had to quit a job to stay at home and support the needs of a family member.
  • Most family caregivers (58%) provide more than 40 hours of care per week (including 40% who provide more than 80 hours of care per week). This interferes with their work (71%) and causes physical (88%) and financial strain (81%).
  • Sixty two percent of caregivers reported a decrease in services for their family member with a disability.

“These statistics came to life at the White House today, as these families exemplify what it means to be on a waiting list for services for nine years, and what life looks like when parents face a choice between working and caring for their loved one,” said Marty Ford, The Arc’s public policy director.

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Find Medicaid Data State by State

/in /by Kristen Bossi

Having information that is specific to your state and/or Congressional district can be very helpful in educating and persuading your Members of Congress. We have identified a few such credible sources of Medicaid data:

State Medicaid Fact Sheets

The Kaiser Family Foundation has created a web site that allows you to create fact sheets comparing your state to others and the nation as a whole. Each fact sheets provides the state’s distribution by insurance status, Medicaid enrollment and spending by group (including people with disabilities), detailed demographic profiles, and more.

State Profiles in Medicaid Spending on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Services

The Coleman Institute on Developmental Disabilities at the University of Colorado publishes information on revenue, spending, and programmatic trends for intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) services in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the United States as a whole.

Medicaid State Spending and Your State’s Economy

Families USA has created an interactive website that allow you to enter an amount of Medicaid spending cuts in your state. It then calculates the amount of money lost to the state in business activity, jobs, and salary and wages.

District by District Impact of Medicaid Cuts

Rep. Henry A. Waxman, Ranking Member of the House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee, and Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr., Ranking Member of the Health Subcommittee, have released new analyses detailing the impact of the Republican Medicare and Medicaid proposals on each Congressional district.

Medicaid Statistics

The Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance (CHIP) Payment Advisory Committee, known as MACPAC, provides state-specific information about program enrollment, spending, eligibility levels, optional Medicaid benefits covered, and the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP), as well as an overview of cost-sharing permitted under Medicaid and the dollar amounts of common federal poverty levels (FPLs) used to determine eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP. It also provides information that places these programs in the broader context of state budgets and national health expenditures. View the report.

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Different Deficit Reduction Efforts, Same Result for Medicaid?

/in /by Kristen Bossi

All Roads in Congress May Lead to Block Granting Medicaid

Congress is considering a number of different mechanisms that may result in cuts so large that the only option would be to block grant Medicaid. Under a block grant, Congress would give states a reduced, fixed amount of money and eliminate many of the requirements (such as who to cover and what services to provide). Block granting is the worst option for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) as it would fundamentally change the structure of the program, not just cut funding for it. The individual entitlement to health care and long term services and supports would be lost and the states’ entitlement to reimbursement for actual costs would be lost. This is why it is so important to hold Members of Congress accountable for their positions on each of the mechanisms described below.

What are Spending Caps?

One approach to deficit reduction that is being seriously considered is to impose spending caps or limits. These caps limit government spending, usually limiting it to a certain percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). There is one proposal that would limit federal spending to 20.6% of GDP (spending is currently 24% of GDP). This figure is the average amount of federal spending compared to all goods and services produced by the country (or GDP) in the last 40 years (before spending on aging baby boomers, national security, and interest on the debt was significant). Congress is currently considering three types of caps:

  • A global spending cap (for all federal spending);
  • An entitlement spending cap (for Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security spending); and
  • A global health spending cap (for Medicaid, Medicare, and Affordable Care Act spending).

What happens if federal spending exceeds the spending caps?

There would be an enforcement mechanism of automatic, across‐the‐board spending cuts (called “sequestration”) if the spending limits or targets were expected to be missed. Low income programs, such as Medicaid and Social Security, would not be exempted. To bring federal spending back in line with the proposed spending caps or targets, Congress would be forced to make drastic cuts in entitlement programs. Those cuts would most likely have to include block grants for the Medicaid program.

What Legislation is Congress considering that might include spending caps?

There a currently two main efforts in Congress that are expected to involve spending caps. The first, a measure to increase the debt ceiling, is by far the most serious threat, as the U.S. is close to reaching a point of default on its financial obligations. The second, a balanced budget amendment, may or may not advance.

  1. Raising the Debt Ceiling. The U.S. debt reached the limit of $14.3 trillion allowed by law in mid‐May. However, the Treasury Secretary is able to manage accounts without defaulting until about August 2. If federal borrowing authority is not increased by August 2, the U.S. will begin defaulting on its debt, triggering a catastrophic global financial crisis. Some Members of Congress have stated that they will vote to raise the debt ceiling ONLY IF major cuts in federal spending are included. While no specific programs and amounts have yet been made public, Medicaid is widely expected to be a major target.
  2. Balanced Budget Amendment. Unlike the constitutions of most states, the U.S. Constitution does not actually require the Congress to pass a balanced budget. Some Members of Congress are looking to add a balanced budget amendment to ensure that the federal government does not spend more than it takes in, including no borrowing authority. If this were to happen, most federal spending would be radically reduced, including Medicaid.
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Questions and Answers on Potential Medicaid Cuts

/in /by Kristen Bossi

Q. What is happening in Washington?

A. There are many proposals being discussed in Washington to balance the budget. What these proposals have in common is that Medicaid spending would be dramatically cut in a short period of time. These proposals are:

  • Block Granting Medicaid, which would give states a fixed amount of money for health care and long term services and would likely remove requirements (such as eligibility and service minimums and quality measures) for how the states spend the money.
  • Spending Caps, with automatic enforcement, would set a limit on federal spending that is well below current spending and would likely result in a Medicaid block grant. Automatic enforcement mechanisms mean that, if a spending target is not met, cuts are made automatically without the need for further Congressional action.

In addition, Vice President Biden is leading a small group of six Members of Congress who are trying to find a way to cut the deficit. This group is working behind the scenes, and very little information about their negotiations is being made public. They are expected to reach an agreement allowing Congress to raise the debt ceiling by August 2.

What we do know is that cuts to Medicaid are on the table in all of these proposals, and that harsh fact alone requires us to act! Time is short.

Q. What happens if any of these proposals become law?

A. The cuts under any of the proposals for spending caps and automatic enforcement would be so drastic that a block grant would be the result for the Medicaid program (even if Congress does not immediately consider a straightforward proposal to block grant the program itself).

Q. What is the problem with block granting Medicaid?

A. One major problem is that the costs do not go away, but would be shifted to already cash-strapped states. If states do not make up for the federal cuts (the federal government pays 50 percent or more of the costs of every state’s Medicaid program), the costs would shift again, to individuals and their families, to health care providers, to other federal programs or to local governments.

  • There would be no more guarantees of health care services and waiting lists would grow even longer.
  • The block grant would likely have few rules and states would be free to change eligibility, cut services, and manage their programs with very little federal oversight.
  • We believe that block grants would force bad choices and cause real conflict as groups with diverse needs compete for scarce dollars.

Q. What “bad choices” might states make?

A. Since the services to people with disabilities and the elderly are significantly more costly than health care coverage for children, states could decide to serve fewer seniors and people with disabilities and focus scarce health care dollars on children. Here are some possible choices states might be forced to make:

  • Loss of home and community-based services (HCBS) and supports. Nearly 600,000 people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) receive long term services paid for by Medicaid, and most receive them at home. States could decide to stop providing these services or limit the number of people who could get them, increasing waiting lists.
  • Move people back to institutions. With fewer requirements, people with I/DD may be forced back into institutions rather than community living. Under a block grant, rules for providing quality care could be more flexible and conditions in institutions could return to the way they were in the past.
  • Tightening of eligibility for services. To be eligible for Medicaid, people have to fall under certain income levels. States could restrict health care services to only the very, very poor.
  • More out of pocket costs for individuals and families. In order to get health care, people might have to pay more out of their own pockets. Since people using Medicaid have limited income resources to start with, requiring them to pay for their medical care or long term services and supports could be a significant barrier to care.
  • Reduction or elimination of critical services. If funds become scarcer, states may decide to reduce or stop providing basic services, such as personal care, prescription drugs, rehabilitative services, or home and community based waiver programs.
  • Less availability of doctors and providers for care. It is already very difficult for people using Medicaid to find doctors and other health care providers willing to accept the low payment rates, particularly specialists. If states cut the amount they pay doctors and other providers, those professionals may quit serving people under Medicaid, making access to care even more difficult to secure.
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Tell Your Members of Congress, “Don’t Cut Our Lifeline!”

/in /by The Arc

If we don’t speak up now, Medicaid and other programs critical to people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) may take the brunt of the cuts. Members of Congress are very reluctant to cut Medicare, as the elderly community is a very reliable voting constituency and they are very vocal advocates. Historically, Social Security is considered the “third rail” in politics, and as such, not to be touched. That leaves Medicaid on the table as a prime target for cuts.

How can we make Congress understand why Medicaid is so important?
We have to personalize the importance of protecting Medicaid for people with I/DD. Advocates need to do the following:

1) Call your Senators or Member of the House of Representatives
Call the Capitol Switchboard to reach your Members of Congress: 202-224-3121. Also, be sure to sign up for our Action Alerts, and act quickly when we send them!

2) Make an Appointment with your Elected Officials
Call your elected officials for an appointment to discuss what Medicaid means to you. Find out when your Member of the House of Representatives will be home from Washington, and call his or her district office to make an appointment. Stress with the scheduler that you know that budget cuts could come up for a vote this summer, and you want your voice to be heard!

3) Attend a Town Hall Meeting
When Members of Congress are back in their districts, they often hold town hall meetings. Call their district offices to find out when the next meeting is so that you can attend and share your story directly with your Representative.

4) Invite your Senators and Representative to your local chapter of The Arc.
Invite them to join you at places or events where they will be able to meet with people with disabilities who depend heavily on Medicaid. For example, invite them to a supported housing setting or apartment supported by your chapter(s). Seeing firsthand the people who depend on Medicaid-funded long-term services and supports can have a powerful effect on Members of Congress and can help to dispel many of the unfortunate misperceptions about the program (for example, that it serves people who don’t really need it). If possible, invite them to a chapter event that’s happening during the recess where they may meet and talk with people who depend on Medicaid for services.

5) Write a Letter to the Editor
Local newspapers will print letters from local residents on timely topics. Sharing your personal story about how Medicaid is your lifeline to health care and long term services and supports will help people understand why we must maintain the program.

6) Use Social Media to Spread the Word
Facebook and Twitter are often the first source of news for your friends and family. Use your online network to ask them to get involved in this fight!

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The Arc Commends Senator Franken’s Commitment to Protecting Medicaid

/in /by The Arc

WASHINGTON, DC – The Arc is commending Senator Al Franken of Minnesota for pledging to protect the federal Medicaid program. Senator Franken met recently with leaders and members from The Arc Minnesota and with families who benefit from programs provided by Hammer, a disability service provider in Wayzata, Minnesota. Invoking the late Senator Hubert Humphrey, Franken said, “Who we are as a society both in Minnesota and across this country is defined by how we treat the most vulnerable. The kind of state Minnesotans want to live in is one that supports our citizens with disabilities. I will fight cuts to Medicaid that don’t protect these essential services.”

Medicaid is the primary source of health care coverage for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), providing them medical care, dental care, physical therapy, and assistive devices like wheelchairs, among others. Medicaid currently covers 60 million low-income Americans including nearly 30 million low-income children, 15 million adults and 8 million non-elderly people with disabilities. The program is being threatened by cuts proposed by some in Congress.

“Medicaid is the lifeline to the community for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Marty Ford, Public Policy Director for The Arc. “We cannot tolerate the kinds of cuts to Medicaid being proposed by the U.S. House of Representatives. We are very worried these cuts would return people with disabilities to institutions, which unacceptably segregate people and are generally more expensive. We have fought hard for many decades to get people with disabilities out of these institutions; we don’t want to go back.”

The House of Representatives passed a budget plan, known as the Ryan Plan after its author, Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, in April that cuts programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The bill includes drastic cuts and changes to:

  • Medicaid: Cuts $750 billion over 10 years and ends Medicaid as a guaranteed benefit by turning it into a “block grant” that leaves cash-strapped states to fill in the funding gaps with very little oversight.
  • Medicare: Replaces Medicare with a voucher program for younger beneficiaries that will certainly provide less than the current system.
  • Discretionary Programs: Eliminates, over time, most federal government programs outside of health care, Social Security, and defense as the cuts are so deep.
  • Health Care Reform: Repeals and defunds the Affordable Care Act.

Pat Mellenthin, Chief Executive Officer of The Arc Minnesota expressed gratitude for Senator Franken’s support. “We thank Senator Franken for his willingness to be a champion for people with disabilities by protecting Medicaid. The proposed cuts to Medicaid at the federal level are a double blow to people with disabilities, as they are already being targeted for drastic cuts in their services at the state level.”

Tim Nelson, CEO of Hammer and President of The Arc Minnesota, also praised the Senator’s commitment. “The services that we provide help people with disabilities be included in our communities and help them become contributing citizens. Cuts being proposed to Medicaid would pull people out of our communities and make them more isolated.” Hammer’s services are funded by a combination of state Medical Assistance and federal Medicaid dollars.

The Arc advocates for and serves people with I/DD, including Down syndrome, autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy and other diagnoses. The Arc has a network of over 700 chapters across the country promoting and protecting the human rights of people with I/DD and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes and without regard to diagnosis.

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The Arc Commends the U.S. Senate for Voting Down Disastrous Budget for People With Disabilities

/in /by The Arc

WASHINGTON – Late yesterday, the U.S. Senate voted down a federal spending plan that could have disastrous consequences for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Leading up to the vote, The Arc, the nation’s largest and oldest human services organization for the I/DD community serving more than a million people with I/DD individuals and their families, opposed this legislation because it would cut $750 billion over 10 years out of Medicaid and end the program as a guaranteed benefit by turning it into a “block grant” that leaves cash-strapped states to fill in the funding gaps with very little oversight.

“The U.S. Senate’s vote put the brakes on a disastrous budget proposal for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As Congress and the nation continue to debate how to promote economic recovery and tackle our deficit, it can’t be done on the backs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc.

The House of Representatives passed this budget plan, known as the Ryan Plan after its author, Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, in April. The bill includes drastic cuts and changes to:

  • Medicaid: Cuts $750 billion over 10 years and ends Medicaid as a guaranteed benefit by turning it into a “block grant” that leaves cash-strapped states to fill in the funding gaps with very little oversight.
  • Medicare: Replaces Medicare with a voucher program for younger beneficiaries that will certainly provide less than the current system.
  • Discretionary Programs: Eliminates, over time, most federal government programs outside of health care, Social Security, and defense as the cuts are so deep.
  • Health Care Reform: Repeals and defunds the Affordable Care Act.

The $4.3 trillion from all of these cuts would be used to provide $4.2 trillion in tax cuts over 10 years without tackling the nation’s deficit.

For people with I/DD, these cuts would have a huge impact on their health and lives. People with I/DD could be denied health insurance coverage, home and community based services, supportive housing, job training, education, transportation, and other services. Medicaid currently funds 78% of services for individuals with I/DD.