Prepare to Take Action: National Disability Leadership Alliance Calls for Real Medicaid Reform
[Note: Not Dead Yet is part of the National Disability Leadership Alliance. We share a deep concern about proposed Medicaid cuts that threaten both home and community based services and other essential, life sustaining health care services. This is a critical time when we must work in coalition to make our voices heard.]
As the White House and congressional leaders look for ways to trim federal spending, Medicaid is squarely on the chopping block. But as our nation’s leaders discuss the future of Medicaid, it has become clear that people with disabilities are not being included in the conversation.
The National Disability Leadership Alliance (NDLA) and our allies are deeply concerned that the proposed Medicaid cuts will jeopardize the independence and lives of people with disabilities and seniors. We are responding.
Today, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is facilitating a meeting between Medicaid beneficiaries and the White House. AAPD is giving the White House an opportunity to hear first-hand about the devastating impact that the proposed Medicaid cuts will have. Instead of making simplistic cuts to Medicaid, NDLA organizations are calling for Real Medicaid Reform.
People receiving services understand where bureaucracy can be reduced and how services can be streamlined. With this unique perspective, NDLA organizations have identified forward-thinking proposals that contain Medicaid spending while promoting the independence and integration of seniors and people with disabilities. We call upon our federal policy-makers to include us in the discussion so we can truly reform Medicaid.
Over the next few days, NDLA will begin distributing action alerts. These alerts are intended to be used to mobilize our grassroots constituents. When you receive these alerts, please distribute them through your networks. And encourage people to respond as if their freedom, independence, and lives depend on it… because they do.
About NDLA
The National Disability Leadership Alliance (NDLA) is a cross-disability coalition that represents the authentic voice of people with disabilities. NDLA is led by 13 national organizations run by people with disabilities with identifiable grassroots constituencies around the country. The NDLA steering committee includes: ADAPT, the American Association of People with Disabilities, the American Council of the Blind, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, the Hearing Loss Association of America, Little People of America, the National Association of the Deaf, the National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery, the National Council on Independent Living, the National Federation of the Blind, Not Dead Yet, Self Advocates Becoming Empowered, and the United Spinal Association.