Photo above is also today’s Google doodle, honoring Ed Roberts.
My alternative news site; ThinkProgress.org reported today; “White House counselor Kellyanne Conway confirmed on Sunday that Trump’s proposed Obamacare replacement would convert Medicaid into a block grant program. This would take its administration out of the hands of the federal government and put states in charge, with potentially disastrous consequences.”
Also today in the Washington Post; “Historical data suggest that a shift to block grants would result in a gradual decline in Medicaid funding. A 2016 report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) showed that when the federal government uses block grants, the funding for the programs shrinks over time...”
I began working with children with disabilities at age 13, because I wanted to do something productive that summer. This began a lifetime of working, advocating, and then raising a son with disabilities, and advocating, working... He is now 34 years old, and in danger of losing his Medicaid, Social Security and probably his piddling little food aid [formerly known as Food Stamps] too.
He still lives with me. I am his caregiver. He’s a wonderful person though cognitively limited and deals with frustration, anger, jealousy and other emotions of similar vein by yelling— and it doesn’t matter where we are at the time. Yesterday in the food store. So embarrassing for me- he doesn’t feel it at all.
We have been seeing a caring child psychologist; to help him and I deal with his anger and yelling. Under Medicaid cuts mental health care would probably end, or it would be something else I’d pay for. Good thing I took my retirement in 2016, though it was early and I try not to wonder what I would have received if I could have waited longer.
Almost 23 years ago his father left our family for “greener grass,” so to speak. He feels by paying alimony he needn’t help his son in the 14 years since he aged out of child support. So I pay for day programs, social activities, transportation, good quality shoes for his poor feet [flat and more recently with bone spurs].
Is my son my dependent? Yes, but he is also an American adult who cannot support himself- works just 4 hours a week cutting veggies for a taco restaurant, and helps with stuffing envelopes for piece rate at his day program.
We must go to the dentist and ear doctor every 4 months— I guess I could manage to add those payments to my budget. But what happens if he needs significantly more medical care— or if I do? Or if I can no longer care for him?
I’ve never been a fan of children/adults in the care of the state. Let me give you the term for that; warehousing, not caring. I know because I worked in a state institution where adults with disabilities lived or rather vegetated.
Are we going to allow this reduction in health assistance to the neediest in our society- to occur? What are you going to do? Call your Senators/Representatives and tell them this WILL NOT DO. People deserve health care. Call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 to reach your senators or representative. Here’s a guide to what to say.
Thank you. And please don’t judge us if you’re in the store when my son is yelling. Yesterday he wanted me to buy him something that I couldn’t afford.