NDRN Fights to Preserve Medicaid at White House Meeting

WASHINGTON – The National Disability Rights Network brought families that receive services through Medicaid to the White House today to speak with the President’s advisors about cutbacks to the program.

Advisors to the President reaffirmed his objection to turning Medicaid into a block grant.

“We are encouraged by what we heard from the White House today and will continue to work with them in partnership to save Medicaid,” said Eric Buehlmann, NDRN’s Director of Public Policy.

Accompanying NDRN was Kelly Woodall, a 28 year old Raleigh, North Carolina resident and former Ms. Wheelchair North Carolina. Ms. Woodall has cerebral palsy and relies on in-home care workers funded through Medicaid for assistance with many daily living tasks. The services she receives allow her to live in independently in the community and to be employed. Without them, Ms. Woodall would be forced to live in a nursing home where she would be ineligible for the services that make it possible for her to work.

“This would limit me in being a productive member of society, paying taxes and stimulating the economy,” said Woodall.

The House of Representatives has already passed a budget proposal (H.R. 1) that would lead to devastating cuts to Medicaid and transform the program into a block grant. Such cuts would threaten years of progress made to rebalance the long term services system to assist more people with disabilities, including those who are aging, in the community rather than in more expensive and restrictive institutions.

“It’s critical that Congress work with President Obama to preserve Medicaid so that people like Kelly can continue to fulfill their potential and fully participate in the American Dream,” said Buehlmann.

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The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) is the nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and the Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities. Collectively, the Network is the largest provider of legally based advocacy services to people with disabilities in the United States.