USA-- In a recent report on the ten states with the most serious budget shortfalls, ABC News highlighted sharp cuts on a variety of states services many of which negatively affect people with disabilities. Following are brief summaries of cuts most likely to hurt people with disabilities and those who serve them:
Arizona
Arizona is eliminating its disability benefits program for people waiting for Social Security benefits. The state is also cutting $49 million from the Health Services Department.
California
California has increased co-pay amounts and reduced dental benefits in the state children's health program. The state has also eliminated dental and vision services for many Medicaid recipients.
Nevada
In Nevada, the Governor has ordered a number of cuts in education, including elimination of funds for a magnet program for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Illinois
Illinois faces a $140 million cut in health insurance, a $175 million cut in education, and a $283 million cut in the Department of Human Services.
New York
New York Governor David Paterson proposes $3.5 billion cuts in healthcare services.
Oregon
The state will underfund the Department of Human Services by $387 million. The state is also cutting $41 million out of day care programming for low-income families.
Vermont
Vermont enacted a health care and related services provider rate cut that will affect contract healthcare services, mental health care providers, sign language interpreters, and children’s rehabilitation.
Washington
Arizona
Arizona is eliminating its disability benefits program for people waiting for Social Security benefits. The state is also cutting $49 million from the Health Services Department.
California
California has increased co-pay amounts and reduced dental benefits in the state children's health program. The state has also eliminated dental and vision services for many Medicaid recipients.
Nevada
In Nevada, the Governor has ordered a number of cuts in education, including elimination of funds for a magnet program for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Illinois
Illinois faces a $140 million cut in health insurance, a $175 million cut in education, and a $283 million cut in the Department of Human Services.
New York
New York Governor David Paterson proposes $3.5 billion cuts in healthcare services.
Oregon
The state will underfund the Department of Human Services by $387 million. The state is also cutting $41 million out of day care programming for low-income families.
Vermont
Vermont enacted a health care and related services provider rate cut that will affect contract healthcare services, mental health care providers, sign language interpreters, and children’s rehabilitation.
Washington
The state made a 70% cut in Medicaid for low-income seniors, resulting in elder care provider lay-offs.
RELATED
From around the country…
Kansas Budget Cuts Affect State's Most Vulnerable Groups
http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/story/1306368.html
State Sued Over Cuts to Disabled Kids Care
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009390923_downlawsuit27m.html
Mental Health Program Facing Budget Cuts
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/breaking/story/815577.html
Disabilities Agency Takes Hard Line on Cuts
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/jul/05/na-disabilities-agency-takes-hard-line-on-cuts/news-politics/
Budget Cuts for Services to Disabled
http://www.independent.com/news/2009/jul/01/budget-cuts-services-disabled/
Kansas Budget Cuts Affect State's Most Vulnerable Groups
http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/story/1306368.html
State Sued Over Cuts to Disabled Kids Care
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009390923_downlawsuit27m.html
Mental Health Program Facing Budget Cuts
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/breaking/story/815577.html
Disabilities Agency Takes Hard Line on Cuts
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/jul/05/na-disabilities-agency-takes-hard-line-on-cuts/news-politics/
Budget Cuts for Services to Disabled
http://www.independent.com/news/2009/jul/01/budget-cuts-services-disabled/
21 comments:
During his Campaign President Obama promised to increase health care support, and it appears that he is doing completely the opposite.
According to the Department of Social and Health Services, the cuts on the budget would affect approximately 3,100 children with disabilities, and save the state about $3 million over two years.
We are talking about children with severe disabilities like Down syndrome. These children's families depend on Medicaid to assist the needs of their children at home. I don’t think this is right. We as society have to start thinking about increasing our care and love to our children in need, and forget a little bit about the money.
Have they asked themselves, how many families are we negatively impacting with this cuts?
Why doesn’t the government consider cutting funds of the budget in other areas instead?
Mary Carmen T.
I agree with Mary Carmen about asking why they don't do budget cuts somewhere else. Why are people with disabilities and low income people the first to get picked maybe they should try by starting to reduce the presidents paycheck to see how he would like that! Somehow this does not suprise me.E.G.
It is such a shame that budget cuts have to be made in the first place. It just seems like the programs require more funding are the first to be cut. People with disabilities and children are always negatively affected by these cuts. It just seems incredibly unfair and illogical when the government spends millions on unnecessary projects such as landscaping projects and expensive railway systems. I don't understand why or how they can't see the immense problems that occur when these budget cuts take place.
Jeanette G.
I agree with all three comments. A little more with the one about reducing the president's paycheck. First of all, he should get paid the minimum,since he wanted this job to help the United States. Furthermore, children and people with disabilities should be the last and not the first to become affected with this types of situations, since they can't do anything about it.
Gabriela L.
It is disappointing to find out that government funds are being deducted from children with disabilities and low income families. These are the people that need the extra help the most. What will happen to these families? Isn't the government suppose to look out for the welfare of these children? I can only imagine how these family will meet their needs now. Many families depend on Medicaid for their children. How are they suppose to get by without it? It is unfair that the goverment decided to reduce these funds when they could have easily deducted these funds from other areas.
In these times we are facing, it is very unfortunate to hear that there will be cuts in funding to such programs as Social Security, education, health care, and disability services. Our president has come at a time with much despair and need for change. He now is looking at programs that in dire need for reform...but, when? All we are seeing is cuts to services. I hope that’s not the reform and change talked about.
All but 2 states have had their budgets slashed…cutting those that need it the most. So, now we will see that cutting those services will be a loss in jobs in those fields...further placing us in economic troubles. We’ll see how Texas holds up with the cuts…and if it is going to affect the Rehab field.
This was a very depressing article to read! Each state more depressign than the last: elimination of dental and vision services for Medicaid recipients, elimination of programs for students who are deaf, slashing day care for low-income families,cut in children' rehabilitation programs, doing away with assistance for the elderly...the list goes on and on.
Not only are persons in need affected, but the caregivers and professionals trained to provide assistance are also being down-sized, hence making a big impact on the profession as well. Certainly, there must be other ways to trim a budget that from those most in need. Sadly, it may be because they know that some will just take it and not complain, but that is where advocacy groups must come to the rescue. So much attention is paid to the economy and bailing out big businesses that it seems that individual people are being forgotten.
Cindy V.
It was sad to here that there are many budget cuts being made in the health care system. I hate the fact that the government does not make the necessary cuts where needed. In fact I don't even think that they think about what they are doing or even care, as long as it's not hurting them. Sometimes the govenrment can be so ignorant and it gets me mad that there would be so many budget cuts like the ones that were mentioned in the article.
Alina L.
WOW!It is sad to hear that all that money is being taken away from all those departments. I think that people with disabilities are the ones who need it the most and they should be taking funds away from other programs. They should cut funds to the supports all the wars that the US is in, the wars are just causing more people to come back to the US with disabilities from the injuries suffered overseas.
WOW!It is sad to hear that all that money is being taken away from all those departments. I think that people with disabilities are the ones who need it the most and they should be taking funds away from other programs. They should cut funds to the supports all the wars that the US is in, the wars are just causing more people to come back to the US with disabilities from the injuries suffered overseas.
First of all, budget cuts are never a good thing in any area or field, but why choose people with disabilities? I think that the outcome of these budget cuts can only have a negative effect on people with disabilities. It's a shame that people with disabilities are the ones most in need and our government is cutting corners on them. Why not do away with the whole "stimulus" budget which we did not have in the first place and use that money on people who really need it, like a child with Down syndrome or any other disability.
Gary Garcia
REHS 6300
This is just wrong! Cant we cut on other things? What about this war that is going on?... Health care is so needed and important! There is also a big shortage in medical professionals. Wow, what is happening to the U.S.of A.? Aissa S.
Comment on Mary T Carmen's comment:
So true! Pres. Obama did make a lot of promises on health care esp when he came to Texas to talk about all that. But I do feel that he has a lot on his plate...and that he's had to fix another former president's left mistakes and problems. ALso, 3100 children with disabilities left without care is ridiculous. Why must those children have to suffer? The state needs to take a closer look at necessity. Children with disabilities are a must...there are other children that are being misdiagnosed and put under medication just so their parents wont have to deal with their excessive energy. Take them to the park and get them tired! thats what will help...thats what we did growing up and we grew up just fine. I like your post. Great insight.
AIssa S.
d
Yes, this is upsetting. However, I think it's too easy to blame the President. I don't believe one person came up with the idea to take money away from those most in need. I like what Cindy V. had to say about advocacy. It's true; these are the times when people within the health care fields need to fight for the people they serve as well as their own professions. It's always easier to just slam the system. What we are doing right now, blogging, is a good start. Positive discussion leads to further action. We can also write our legislators to voice our concerns. I guess what I'm trying to say is that yes, we can be upset, but let's not let our anger overwhelm us to the point where we can't even be effective when we take this "fight" to another level.
Vanessa C. (6300)
This is very disappointing. To see all these cuts. People need this. PWD especially. We are in such hard times right now and it seems like it is just getting worst with all these cuts. Maybe because times are bad, there are cuts, but why cut funds in these types of supports? This is useful. Families need this, for those whose children have disabilities and overall PWD. This is so upsetting I don't even know what to say. WHY? WHEN is there going to be that change President Obama said? WHY these budgets? These are needed. DESPERATELY needed. People's health depend on it. I am so upset.
This I can definitely say agitates me, I can not comprehend why these states are cutting funds for individuals with disabilities, they should be made priority regardless of the situation we are currently in. There are numerous areas that these states can make budget cuts in. I understand that our country is in a recession at this time, but if cuts need to be made they should be made proportionally in all areas. Every aspect in health care is important to individuals with or without disabilities, so cutting funds in this area is ridiculous.
What?? President Obama came across as wanting healthcare for all, what a joke. These cuts on a variety of state services which affect people with disabilities, that is crazy. In my opinion, I think he wants to adjust everyones healthcare where HE regulates when and what one gets. Our government has all this money for healthcare but who win? Rebecca Griffith
I agree with Mary Carmen about asking why they don't do budget cuts somewhere else. I also agree with Jeannette G. that it’s a shame that budget cuts are to be made in the first place, especially to people with disabilities and children. Even thought I agree with them one has to realize that the government has done budget cuts across the board to the most part. There have been a lot of budget cuts done to them defense department and Justice Department. Thank I think the last one the government wanted to touch and cut was the U.S Health and Human Service Department which is responsible for most of the social service each states offers. But we all have to realize that sometimes budget cuts have to be done so the program it self can stay running, it is the less of two evils.
FYI; the president of the United States earns 400,000 a year. One was to realize that the president actually earns less than a CEO of Major Corporation and he has a lot more of responsibility. Just realize that someone with a PhD that has been a government employee a few years and reaches the level of GS-15 will actually earn 200,000 a year in average, which is half of what the president earns. So the question is does everyone still thing the President needs a pay cut?
Wow why is it that PWD is always are the ones suffering and are the ones get cut off first. How are these state do such an awful thing. they need to come up with something buget cuts the president needs to get involved this is a huge issue PWD need to live too. I agree that the prsident romised to increase health care support and he is doing the opposite. I know he said it was going to take a long processes but PWD can not wait any longer.
If anyone is going to have to feel the effects of budget cuts should it be people with dissabilites? I wonder why the president has not done more to prevent these costly cuts to PWD. I hope that before things can get even worse , that somehow these cuts can be avoided. There are so many people that count on state help to maintain there lives, and by cutting these budgets is just obsurd.
Eddie REyes
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