Continued work around Medicaid protection and reform
August 4, 2011
In the days leading up to the Debt Deal early this week, negotiations between Senate, House and White House leaders focused a great deal on Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
Now that a deal has been met, there will be what is called a “Super Committee” charged with identifying spending cuts to reduce the current Federal deficit. A recent Not Dead Yet Blog posted reported that “in the upcoming “Super Committee” negotiations, there is a ‘bull’s eye’ painted on Medicaid.”
With that in mind, groups around the country are still organizing to raise awareness around the importance of the program. For thousands of people with disabilities, Medicaid enrollment provides critical supports that enable people with disabilities to live independently in the community. Without these supports, people could be forced into institutions.
To build support for Medicaid, and to send a message to the Federal Government that the answer is not cutting services, Access Living’s Task Force for Attendant Services will rally at Federal Plaza tomorrow, August 5, from noon to 1 p.m. The Task Force for Attendant Services is a group of disability advocates organizing to protect community-based services and options. The group (known as ‘tough ass’) formed in the spirit of the 1999 U.S. Supreme Court Olmstead decision, which ruled that the unnecessary institutionalization of people with disabilities is a form of discrimination.
For more information about the Task Force, which meets monthly, and about the rally, contact Tom Wilson at 312-640-2125 (voice), twilson@accessliving.org
Now that a deal has been met, there will be what is called a “Super Committee” charged with identifying spending cuts to reduce the current Federal deficit. A recent Not Dead Yet Blog posted reported that “in the upcoming “Super Committee” negotiations, there is a ‘bull’s eye’ painted on Medicaid.”
With that in mind, groups around the country are still organizing to raise awareness around the importance of the program. For thousands of people with disabilities, Medicaid enrollment provides critical supports that enable people with disabilities to live independently in the community. Without these supports, people could be forced into institutions.
To build support for Medicaid, and to send a message to the Federal Government that the answer is not cutting services, Access Living’s Task Force for Attendant Services will rally at Federal Plaza tomorrow, August 5, from noon to 1 p.m. The Task Force for Attendant Services is a group of disability advocates organizing to protect community-based services and options. The group (known as ‘tough ass’) formed in the spirit of the 1999 U.S. Supreme Court Olmstead decision, which ruled that the unnecessary institutionalization of people with disabilities is a form of discrimination.
For more information about the Task Force, which meets monthly, and about the rally, contact Tom Wilson at 312-640-2125 (voice), twilson@accessliving.org
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