Re: [QUAD-L] Budget Cuts hurt us

[MikeyBird3]

In a message dated 11/16/2005 10:41:00 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I really hate to say I told you so...but I did Call you Senators now if you want to save your ass. Here's what I sent:   I am a 55 year old, double amputee quadreplegic receiving Medicare and Medicaid.  I am on SSDI so I can't afford a lot of medical bills.  The cuts in Medicaid and the changes (listed below) would force most people like me to be placed in a nursing home.   I urge you to oppose these cuts/changes.  I spent 17 years in a nursing home (1971-1988) and learned that living in an assisted living situation was not just better for me, but cheaper for the government.   If these cuts/changes are implemented, you'll be sentencing me to a "prison" -- the nursing home.   Proposed cuts/changes: Medicaid   -Slashes the Medicaid program by $45 billion over 10 years. The President’s budget calls for cutting Medicaid by $45 billion over the next 10 years. This large Medicaid cut would have a particularly negative effect on individuals with disabilities. Medicaid is the only source of appropriate health and long-term care services for nine million children and adults with disabilities. It gives children with severe disabilities access to physical and occupational therapy so they can lead healthy and more active lives and continue to live at home with their families; and participate actively in the community in which they live. It also provides essential supports so that adults with disabilities can live in the community, rather than in inappropriate institutions. Slashing Medicaid funding will have a direct impact on the services available to these nine million children and adults.   -Contains provisions that begin turning Medicaid from an entitlement to a block grant. The President’s budget also contains provisions that will be damaging to those with disabilities by beginning to turn Medicaid from an individual entitlement to a block grant to the states. The individual entitlement to Medicaid – with its critical federal protections and the open-ended financing system – has been of immense importance to individuals with disabilities – and anything less will threaten their access to vital health care services. Housing   -Slashes housing program for people with disabilities by 50 percent. The President’s budget would cut funding for the Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities program in half, cutting funding down to $120 million from its current level of $238 million. Completely eliminates HUD’s 30-year pledge to produce accessible supportive housing for people with disabilities. The President’s budget also would completely eliminate all funding for new unit production under the Section 811 program, leaving only tenant-based subsidies. Historically, 75 percent of HUD’s 811 appropriation has been used to fund capital grants and project-based rental assistance for non-profit disability groups to develop new fully wheelchair-accessible units of permanent supportive housing. Represents an unprecedented shift of housing assistance away from people with more severe disabilities. The President’s proposal to eliminate the Section 811 production program would have a particularly harsh impact on those with more severe disabilities. Historically, new units of supportive housing produced through Section 811 have been targeted to people with the most severe disabilities who rely on SSI income of $600 or less per month. For almost 30 years, this program has been a cornerstone of state and local efforts to implement community integration strategies for people with severe disabilities who otherwise live in nursing homes, public institutions, or at home with aging parents. Employment   -Weakens the vital Rehabilitation Services Administration, by slashing its personnel and closing regional offices across the country. The Rehabilitation Services Administration in the Education Department plays a critically important role in helping people with disabilities prepare for entering the workforce, with key vocational rehabilitation programs. And yet the Bush budget includes a reorganization plan of the Rehabilitation Services Administration that weakens this key agency, by slashing the number of employees from 138 to 70 and closing all of the regional offices. Closing all regional offices will result in a lack of monitoring and technical assistance for rehabilitation programs across the country. Completely eliminates vocational education program – an important employment program at the Education Department that helps people with disabilities prepare for work. The Bush budget eliminates funding for vocational education. This translates into a loss of over $1.3 billion in resources that are used for training and improved academic achievement. Eliminating vocational education will deprive thousands of students with disabilities, as well as many non-disabled students, of vital training and work experience that lead to productive, full-time employment. Slashes funding for an employment program solely dedicated to people with disabilities. The Bush budget slashes funding for an employment program at the Department of Labor that is dedicated to helping people with disabilities obtain appropriate employment. The budget cuts funding for the program from $47.5 million in FY 2005 to $28.0 million in FY 2006. Completely eliminates funding for grants for assistive technology -- technology that a person with disabilities often needs in order to be in the workforce. Assistive technology for people with disabilities is often essential in order for them to live independently and be in the workforce. And yet the Bush budget eliminates funding for State Assistive Technology Program Grants, that states use to help individuals with disabilities obtain such equipment. This funding is eliminated despite evidence that this program has benefited communities, the economy, businesses, and individuals with disabilities. This program provided $25.7 million for assistive technology in FY 2005. Education   -Provides less than 50 percent for special education of what is authorized under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). The Bush budget proposes only a $508 million increase for special education in FY 2006, requesting only $11.1 billion. This is $12.7 billion below the amount authorized under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). Despite President Bush promising to fully fund IDEA, at this rate of increase, full funding will never be accomplished. This marks the fifth year in a row that President Bush has failed to put us on the path to fully funding IDEA. Lack of funds for special education results in inadequate materials for students with disabilities and a chronic shortage of special education teachers. Furthermore, by shortchanging special education, schools and school districts are strained as they scramble to find funds to pay the balance.   Respectfully, William Jenkins