$83 million was eliminated last legislative session for services to people with developmental disabilities. On November 28, our legislators will reconvene to begin sorting out the governor’s proposed budget cuts to social service programs that directly support our state’s most vulnerable populations.
Eliminating dental and prescription medication services for the developmentally disabled on Medicaid will only cause an additional financial burden on our state. Without having dental care and prescription medication, people will suffer decreased overall health and will have more visits to the emergency room to get the care that they need.
Suspending the Individual and Family Services program will eliminate respite services and therapies for 1,000 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. The consequences of eliminating these services equal family member and caregiver burnout, decreased wages for family members that now have to stay at home to care for their family members, and increased incidences for abuse and neglect.
The financial ramifications of attempting to save dollars in the budget will only lead to more of a financial burden on our state and increased vulnerability of persons and families who are already at a disadvantage in society.
We are not saving money. Instead, we are taking away the ability of families and individuals with disabilities to remain independent and an integral part of society, and creating many more problems in an already struggling population.
Cuts need to be made, just not here.
The problem here is the programs disabled people are in are the same program welfare clients are on. If you separate programs for DISABLED people from welfare, maybe we would get ahead.
I also recommend strict regulations on what is a qualifying disability. Some “disabilities” are not severe enough to qualify for services.
If we mandate welfare as 3 months in a lifetime of very strict mandates that only allow certain allowances for rent, utilities and food, where certain amounts are given to each item and strict regulations on what can be purchased (as with food stamps) such as a maximum amount for rent to be $500.00, utilities at $115,00 and food at $156 a month for a family of 4, we may get ahead.
cclngthr said, “…such as a maximum amount for rent to be $500.00, utilities at $115,00 and food at $156 a month for a family of 4, we may get ahead.”
Your spouse pays all the bills and does all the grocery shopping in your house, right? I haven’t seen dollar figures like that in years.
In the current market, $500 might rent a cheap studio or one bedroom apartment too small for a family of four. $115 might cover utilities IF the house or apartment is small and part of the utilities are covered in the rent (unlikely at $500 per month.) $156 a month is barely $40 per week for groceries.
I challenge you to spend an entire week trying to feed four people two or three nutritious meals a day for only $40…
alindasue,
Welfare recipients should be required to figure on receiving a fraction of what would be earned in a real job. A state should not pay for rents of $1000 and grocery bills totalling $500+ in addition to utility bills over $115. In addition to that, welfare for life must cease.
I, for myself and 2 other people average about $80.00 a month in grocery bills, and that includes luxury items that are, to you junk food. This amount does not require me to go to food banks. I go to stores that sell items cheaper, and buy wholesome food.
Your assumption is the state must pay 100% for all things. For welfare recipients who are non-disabled, that amount they get should be 1/4=3/8 of what could be earned.
I also think the burden of proof regarding disability should lie with the person themselves. Many people get of disability because they think they cannot work. If you are TRUELY disabled, there are criteria that fits that category and qualifying for disability benefits should be easier. However, when there are many people thinking that disability gives you a free ride, think again.
This must be in response to the threat from our Governor to make cuts to these programs if we don’t create more revenue.
Trust her to prey on those who have little or no voice in our society.
She should be ashamed of herself.
What about all the cozy little deals she has made with Tribal interests. No Taxes on fuel, No taxes period. I guess that would be acceptable because of the masssive campaign contributions.
No these programs should not be cut and don’t use them as political leverage to further your agenda Christine.