Susan Senator

Please do not support Representative Paul Ryan’s proposal regarding the budget and Medicaid. It is simplistic and naive. We cannot get rid of our budgetary woes on the backs of seniors and the disabled. It’s expensive to take care of people who need care. But you can’t just say “screw ’em!” My friend and colleague Cathy Boyle, founder of Autism Housing Pathways, sent me this important breakdown of what Ryan’s proposal would likely mean for adults with disabilities. (By the way, if you are a frequent reader of my blog, that must mean you care about people like my son Nat. If you want to help adults with autism in terms of helping them secure safe housing, then please give to Autism Housing Pathways. Those dollars will go a long way.)

Here is what AHP’s Executive Director has to say about Wisconsin’s Paul Ryan’s budget proposal:

“Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, Chairman of the House Budget Committee, has made a budget proposal that, if enacted, would have a dramatic impact on long-term care for individuals with disabilities. Regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum, you need to be aware of the implications of the Ryan proposal for people with disabilities.

According to the Arc, [another key disability advocacy group Susan’s readers should consider supporting] three key elements would be:

* An $810 billion cut in Medicaid over 10 years (a 33% cut);

* Medicaid would be converted to a block grant to the states;

* All “dual eligibles” would be placed entirely in the Medicare program.

Let’s look at the implications of this to the best of my understanding.

* The elderly and individuals with disabilities represent 25% of Medicaid beneficiaries, but represent 2/3 of Medicaid spending. A 33% cut to the Medicaid budget would disproportionately affect individuals with disabilities.

[Ryan’s cut would have deleterious effects on guys like Nat.]

“* Block granting Medicaid would eliminate the individual entitlement to Medicaid. Translated into everyday life, it would remove the right to receive PCA services, Adult Foster Care and Group Adult Foster Care. These services are currently the only source of long-term services and supports for individuals not served through DDS (aside from SSI and Sec. 8), and are also used by individuals receiving DDS supports other than group homes and shared living. It is worth remembering at this point that only about 25% of individuals served by DDS receive group home or shared living supports at age 22.

* Dual eligibles are individuals eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare. When a parent of an adult with a disability receiving SSI retires, dies or becomes disabled, the adult with a disability will (after a certain waiting period) become a dual eligible. If dual eligibles are moved exclusively onto Medicare, they will lose all eligibility for PCA services, Adult Foster Care and Group Adult Foster Care. In addition, the cost to the state of Mass. of individuals on the Medicaid waiver residing in group homes who become dual eligibles would double, as Medicaid pays half the cost of such placements.”

Cathy Boyle

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Autism Housing Pathways: Building Roads to Home
http://www.autismhousingpathways.net