As the economy continues to falter, strapped states are cutting much needed social and medical services for people with disabilities.
In Arizona, more than 1,000 people are without home health aides. In California, the state’s Medicaid program cut dental services. Children with autism, Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities are on never ending waiting lists for therapies in several states.
And beyond the personal impact, such cuts are likely to yield higher expenses to states long term since people who lack services now will likely need more intensive help in the future, reports The New York Times. To read more click here.
Stimulus funds are helping to stem the tide to some degree. In Tennessee such funds will prop up a $7 million program that provides funds directly to families to pay for therapy, respite care and medical needs. But once those funds disappear, the program’s budget could drop to $200,000 next year, reports The Tennessean. To read more click here.
President Obama spoke of change. The state of California is making bad and cruel changes for the people who daily care for those of us with disabilities. Their income is scheduled to be lowered by two dollars per hour in May.
I am a person with many disabilities. Without my care providers, I can not get up each day. I can not feed myself. And I can not even go to the bathroom by myself.
Someone, who is a care provider, takes on great responsibilities. Being a care provider, you have to handle many situations. For example, a few weeks ago I had to make an emergency visit to the eye doctor. My two care providers worked hard to get me an appointment on a weekend and then took me. If this trip adds up to more hours than they are allowed, they won’t be paid by the state for the extra hours.
The idea that the state is reducing the pay for care providers disgusts me. Care providers are the people who do jobs most people won’t do.
I don’t think California is making the changes that President Obama had in mind.