Partners in Lifelong Support Since 1966
Links:

Tell Your Story: Why Medicaid Matters to Me


Last week, Congress introduced a plan to change the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and Medicaid (known as Medi-Cal in California). According to the national Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, "The level of cuts over time would decimate the Medicaid program."

Why should we in California care?

  •  For many adults with developmental disabilities, Medicaid is their health insurance. It pays for care from doctors, specialists, and hospitals, as well as prescriptions.
  • California, like all states, receives Medicaid funding to help pay for the cost of long-term supports that people with developmental disabilities receive. If you or someone you know receives services paid for by a regional center, Medicaid most likely helps pay for it. Medicaid currently pays approximately half the cost of many community services through regional centers.

Thousands of Californians with developmental disabilities depend on Medicaid - or will need it in the future - to remain healthy, live in the community, and stay out of costly institutions. Many other groups of people will also be affected.

If this current approach passes, Medicaid in California would be significantly impacted.

It is important to share your story of Why Medicaid Matters to You.

What you can do: TELL YOUR STORY

Your Congressional Representatives and Senators need to know the impact Medicaid has on people's lives - and they need to know now. They know that Medicaid provides health coverage but may not realize all the other things Medicaid does, like funding In-Home Support Services (IHSS).

If you or someone you know relies on Medicaid-paid services as described above -- or will in the future -- take these three easy steps:

  1. Think about "Why Medicaid Matters to Me."
  2. Send an e-mail to council@scdd.ca.gov -- briefly tell us the positive impact healthcare services and community supports have had on your life or the life of someone you care about. For example, how have regional center services helped you stay healthy, get or keep a job, live on your own, or do the things you want.
  3. Include your name, city and county.

We will hand deliver your messages to Congress on March 21.

What else can you do?
Call your Senators and Representatives today at 202.224.3121.

Check out the AUCD Joint Policy Statement explaining the impact of the proposed changes to Medicaid.