Advocates and Allies Are Concerned Over the Future of Medicaid in the United States By: Jason Hahr
We are one week away from Donald Trump retaking the presidency once again after an overwhelming victory last November. Disability advocates and allies have some concerns regarding a Donald Trump presidency. This article will build on an article published by Disability Scoop late last year. By the end of it, you, the reader, will be more aware of crucial programs like Medicaid and how they affect persons with disabilities.
Along with a
Trump presidency, the Republicans will maintain a slim majority in both
chambers of Congress. This will enable them to reshape public policy and,
indeed, policies that affect people with disabilities for years to come.
Nothing is known for sure, but it is rumored that the Trump administration aims
to cut funding to vital programs such as Medicaid and others. I can understand
wanting to provide tax cuts and tax reforms that were promised during his
campaign; however, even though I am a supporter of President Trump, in this
case, I think he is treating people as if they are a part of a business transaction
rather than remembering their humanity.
I understand
he comes from the business world and has succeeded in the private sector.
Indeed, many people may have voted for him because they want to see America
thrive again. However, you lose your humanity when you run a country like a
business. I am not an advocate for the welfare state; however, some people with
disabilities cannot work at all nor pay for their care, which means that help must
come from somewhere. My situation is similar but not the same because I can
maintain work-from-home employment. However, I still rely on the Medicaid
waiver program known as HCBS (Home and Community-Based Services) for most of my
aide care.
Because of
the income limits placed on people with disabilities who use such services as
Medicaid, I am restricted to having only a certain amount of money in my
checking account. While Florida has options to supplement my inability to save,
it does not yet have a better solution to care than Medicaid. I say all that to
say this: If President Trump and his allies cut funding to such vital programs,
I would not feel like I am being overly dramatic when I say that my life may
change drastically.
Currently,
the federal government reimburses the states on a case-by-case basis. The
reimbursement is equal to or close to what a person’s care costs outside an
institution. However, if changes are made, one option is to go to a block
grant-style program. This means that each state would receive a set amount of
money per person, and that would cause some people not to receive their
services. I am not the judge of who should or should not receive services;
however, I ask this one question. Since when did we forget about the human part
of healthcare?
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