My Medicaid Matters

My Medicaid Matters –

On Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at noon on the Capital Hill

In Washington, D.C. there will be a national “My Medicaid Matters” rally.

This is a very critical time for all disabled and elderly people who need and depend on Medicaid to survive. As you know, Congress has established a “super Committee” to decide about the deficit and need to control federal spending. So far, the public conversation has almost solely focused on the deficient reduction and controlling the cost of Medicaid

On Tuesday, August 30, 2011, a number of Governors issued a statement directed to the Congressional “super Committee,” telling this Committee to loosen Medicaid restrictions on how states spend the federal money on health care for persons on SSI, other low-income persons, disabled and elderly Americans. The Governors want to receive a lump sum payment from the federal government and then want to be free to design their own state-by-state Medicaid program.

If you thought the past Medicaid struggles -- over waiver “caps,” limitation of hours for Personal Assistance Service, institutional bias, hospital stays, covered services – were tough, just wait until there are no federal minimums! That’s right, no federal minimums that could even enforced in federal courts.

If you thought in the past Medicaid providers of nursing homes, ICF-MRs, Assisted Living had lot’s of power as political players because they contributed to your Governor’s and other elected officials Political Action Committees, just wait and you’ll really see institutional power and biases! These providers are in business for a profit and people with disabilities and the elderly are their cash-cows.

If you thought families with and parents of disabled in the past had to struggle to receive Medicaid services to obtain minimally needed services, just wait. Welcome back the 1950s! Most folks do not remember how bad it was.

If you thought your state Medicaid folks in the past did not respect or implement the Olmstead decision that found unnecessary institutionalization as discrimination under the ADA, just wait and you’ll be kissing goodbye your ADA rights.

The Governors plan to come to Washington in October to push for their Medicaid. They do not care Medicaid provides vital home and community-based services that allow seniors and younger people with disabilities to live independently in the community. They care only about money.

In the general public, few people understand what Medicaid is or the impact that Medicaid’s federal funding has on the lives of people with disabilities, seniors, their families and those people who work to support them.

Disability, aging and civil rights organizations have banded together to organize a national rally on Capitol Hill to show Congress that My Medicaid Matters!

September 21st and will kick off organizing efforts in all 50 states to show that My Medicaid Matters!

Rally National Sponsors include:

o ADAPT

o AFSME

o American Association of People with Disabilities

o American Network of Community Options and Resources

o The Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living

o The Autistic Self Advocacy Network

o The Caring Across Generation Campaign

o The Center for Self-Determination

o Coalition for Community Integration

o The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund

o Easter Seals

o Hand in Hand: The Domestic Employers Association

o Jews for Racial and Economic Justice

o The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

o National Council on Independent Living

o National Disability Rights Network

o National Hispanic Council on Aging

o Not Dead Yet

o Self Advocates Becoming Empowered

o Service Employees International Union

o Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE)

o United Cerebral Palsy

o United Spinal Association

How You Can Help

Join us! Rally organizers are looking for members of Congress who are willing to talk about the importance of Medicaid to low and middle income Americans, older Americans and Americans with disabilities.

Help us show that My Medicaid Matters!

Additional Information

For more information, and the most updated list of sponsoring organizations, go to: http://ly.adapt.org/rally

Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues

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As of August, 2010, Information Bulletins will also be posted on my blog located at http://stevegoldada.blogspot.com/

To contact Steve Gold directly, write to stevegoldada1@gmail.com or call 215-627-7100.