They fight for medicaid/medicare for all, now we need to fight for other disabled.
Like many here, I’m on multiple mailing lists. In my case, and number are disability related. Today, I got this:
Apologies for any duplication, but please read this message in entirety; it isimperative that our community responds, and that we do so by Friday, August 11 by 2 pm.
The Federal government has a proposal:
- To eliminate State Councils on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD);
- To eliminate Independent Living Services state grants that support Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILC), and;
- To eliminate State Advisory Board on Traumatic Brain Injury (SABTBI)
The White House proposed to create a new grant program entitled Partnerships for Innovation, Inclusion, and Independence (PIII), attached, intended to combine the activities carried out by SCDD, SILC, and SABTBI into a single state grant program with a budget set at a fraction of the current funding level.
The U.S. House Committee on Appropriations Labor Subcommittee released its budget report for the 2018 budget and recommended level (existing) funding for Councils and all federal partners. This House subcommittee rejected the White House proposal, saying that it would "not serve the needs of people living with a disability,” and that “The Committee does not consolidate the State Councils on Developmental Disabilities, State Independent Living Councils, and State Advisory Boards on Traumatic Brain Injury. The Committee recognizes the unique role played by each program and believes consolidation into one program will not serve the needs of people living with a disability”.
However, the White House is considering this same idea again for 2019.
We need people to submit comments; please email them to
P3I-comments@acl.hhs.gov by Friday, August 11 by 2 pm to meet the deadline. Please share with your networks. Main talking points are:
- We oppose this proposal
- These programs have different roles and serve different people
- They are working well in California
- Nothing will be gained by this proposal
- This proposal will not work
It is unbelievable how devastating this would be to those served by these programs. Personally I believe that much of the short fall in blue states would be picked up, but this doesn’t mean the red state disabled should be so affected. All in the name of *cough* deficit reduction or tax cuts.
Along with your usual political calls, calls here would be appreciated
