Disability advocates push for funding ahead of anniversary of key law

Next Monday is the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act – and today activists gathered outside the U.S. Capitol to mark this significant milestone. While they are celebrating achievements, the activists are also urging Congress to pass stalled funding for states.  FSRN’s Leigh Ann Caldwell reports:

TRANSCRIPT:

“What do we want? Freedom…”

As the hot sun beat down on Washington, D.C., about 200 people, most disabled and many in wheelchairs, sought shade as they listened to speakers praise the Americans With Disabilities Act.

" The ADA has freed so much of us.”

The ADA, which passed during George H.W. Bush’s presidency, enabled accessibility by building things like ramps and soft street curbs.

In addition to celebrating the past, these disability activists had something more immediate on their mind - government support.  And their battle is caught up in the political fight being waged in the building serving as the backdrop of their rally - the U.S. Capitol.

It has to do with Medicaid funding for states, also known as FMAP.

“That’s another area we are here to talk to our Senators and our Congressmen about.”

Many people with disabilities receive health care through Medicaid. But states are on the verge of cutting their Medicaid funding due to budget shortfalls- unless Congress acts again.

Congress already increased aid to the states in the stimulus. But that assistance is expected to run out in December, and like many other things, the funding is stuck in the Senate because Republicans are opposed amid concerns of the national deficit.

Republican Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho spoke at the disability rally in support of rights and resources. But as he told FSRN after his speech, he said he supports Medicaid assistance only if it’s paid for:

“I believe all of Congress’ spending right now needs to be offset. And that is going to be one of the battles. But it’s achievable.”

Crapo says the new Executive Director of National Council on Independent Living, one of the largest disability rights groups, is from Idaho and has been on his case about state Medicaid funding:

“He’s on the spot all the time and has been very aggressive in advocating for this.”

But Crapo says it needs to be paid for:

“Congress needs to do just what all of Americans are doing in their own personal, family, and small-business budgets- and that is tightening their  belt.”

If states don’t receive help, they will tighten their belt.. Layoffs are likely and services, including Medicaid, are likely to be cut.

Large states like California and New York could lose billions of dollars.

House Democrat Jan Schakowsky of Illinois, whose state is slated to add $750 million to the state deficit without the funding, said the money is crucial for the states and for the disability community:

“This mania about deficit cutting right now is dangerous. It’s dangerous to people’s lives and it’s also dangerous to economic recovery.”

Medicaid funding was included in  the bill to extend unemployment benefits, but Republican objections resulted in the state aid  being dropped.

Democrats hope to pass Medicaid assistance by August.

Leigh Ann Caldwell, FSRN, Washington.

Photo: Wheelchair ramp sign

Photo credit: TheTruthAbout

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