From Mike Oxford and Ami Hyten, TILRC, November 24, 2009
Budget problems have forced our state to take dramatic steps to address the shortfall in state revenue. Additional cuts to state programs announced on Monday, November 23rd will seriously impact all of our lives.
Medicaid Home and Community Based Services funding was cut by 10%, which means the state is paying less for the services and supports that keep you living in your own home. With the reduction to the state’s Medicaid reimbursements we will not be able to offer the pay increases or bonuses we have been able to offer in the past.
SRS likely will need to made additional cuts to services on the HCBS waivers in the future, including limiting plans of care, eliminating services, and re-instituting the “hard freeze” for any new people seeking in-home Medicaid services.
TILRC has been involved in the development and support of the right for services and supports so people can live in their own homes since the program began. We have fought hard to maintain state support for in-home services increasing worker wages, and offering benefits. We will continue to work hard to see that the state’s budget is not balanced on the backs of people who use Medicaid services or their workers. If you or your workers are interested in joining the Consumer Attendant Action Network (CAAN) to encourage fair wages and benefits for in-home workers, please call Jeannine at 785.233.4572.
The Kansas Constitution requires the state to have a balanced budget. The Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services and the Department on Aging have worked hard to protect these critical services despite the cuts the legislature has made to their departments the past years. These departments who can only spend the money the state legislature gives to them. We would encourage you, your workers, your family members and your friends to contact your state representatives and senators to encourage them to find ways to pay for services and worker wages instead of cutting more and more.
If you have questions or would like to help in our efforts to promote services and supports for people with disabilities, we would encourage you to contact your TILRC advocate or either of us.
In justice and equality,
Mike Oxford,
Executive Director
Ami Hyten, Assistant Executive Director