Advocacy Days Blog: Medicaid Matters

/in , /by Sarah

Medicaid Matters

Medicaid is often seen just as healthcare, but it plays a much larger role, especially for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). For these individuals, Medicaid provides critical funding for vital services, including residential, personal care, respite, and job support. In fact, nearly all services from the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) are funded by Medicaid.

Watch Corinna’s story about why Medicaid Matters to her.

Medicaid is a partnership between the state and federal government. In Washington State, the federal government covers 50% of Medicaid Waiver services, while the state pays the other half. Some services, like personal care, have a slightly different funding ratio of 56% from federal and 46% from state sources.

Why should you care?

Washington State is facing a fiscal crisis that is projected to be between $10 and $12 billion over the next four years. Since most of our DDA services rely on Medicaid funding, state legislators have limited options for budget cuts without risking service reductions, eligibility changes, or decreased rates. Currently, many bills that require additional funding are being “held” until they determine the financial situation.

We know that DDA has been chronically underfunded. Cuts to our system would only cause harm.

Recently, parents Lee Springate and Bob Wheeler published an editorial in the Seattle Times expressing their concerns about cuts to state services.

“All adults with IDD are already facing service cuts because of the acute shortage of qualified caregivers. This is at a time when approximately 2,000 adults with IDD are living at home with parents over the age of 60 and in need of immediate placement outside the family home. The remaining 11,000 adults living at home will need to transition to community placement within the next 10 to 20 years, resulting in an unfunded state liability above $1 billion annually (by year 20).”

While we face these potential cuts at the state level, there are significant threats to funding happening at the federal level that could seriously impact our Medicaid services. These changes could happen quickly, so we need to be proactive with our advocacy.

What Can You Do?

For individuals with I/DD and their advocates, this situation underscores the need to advocate for our Medicaid services. It’s vital to reach out to our state legislators and Congressional representatives to protect these crucial services.

Your voice is crucial in advocating for the future of Medicaid services!