With the debate raging in Washington over the debt ceiling, Medicaid funding has become somewhat threatened. Reducing it is being proposed by some as a way to limit government spending.
Today the White House and members of Congress are hosting individuals with disabilities and their families to discuss the importance of Medicaid funding. According to the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), Medicaid is a “lifeline for eight million children and adults with disabilities.” The American representing this population will share their stories of how Medicaid has been critical to their lives.
“Tackling our nation’s budget woes cannot be combined with an attack on people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers,” Stephen Bennett, President and CEO of United Cerebral Palsy, said in a press release distributed Friday. “Medicaid is a fundamental lynchpin for people with disabilities to live and work independently in communities across our nation. To eliminate this vital support is short-sighted and wrong.”
Many Democrats are opposed to any cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security. Many Republicans, meanwhile, are opposed to any tax increases. Consequently, finding savings and/or increased revenue palatable to both parties has proven to be very difficult.
President Barack Obama says he is seeking a grand compromise, relenting enough to say that possible cuts to entitlement programs are on the table.
People like Linda Guzman and her son, Javi, will try to convince the White House that such cuts would be a terrible thing to do. Javi has autism and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
“Without the services from Medicaid,” Guzman said, “I would have to quit my job and go on public assistance, or even worse I would have to possibly place Javi in an institution that costs a lot more than Medicaid services.”
There are obviously no easy solutions to the country’s debt problem. Without cuts to entitlements, revenues or savings must come from somewhere else, which will undoubtedly ferment opposition from another population. The AAPD, UCP and many Americans with disabilities, however, hope the White House and congressional leaders can be convinced that Medicaid is too important to alter.
If you receive support via Medicaid, how has it affected your life?
Posted by Bill Gaffney 
