To the editor:

In Michigan, 19 percent of Medicaid enrollees are older adults and individuals with disabilities. For those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD), Medicaid is not just a safety net, but a vital source of access to essential long term care services.

However, Congress is considering a budget framework that includes substantial reductions to Medicaid funding. If enacted, this budget would have a devastating impact on the future of ID/DD services in Michigan and beyond.

Individuals with disabilities disproportionately rely on Medicaid coverage and benefits because many of them live on fixed incomes and face barriers to employment and access to private health coverage. They are also more likely to use long term care, of which Medicaid is the primary payer.

Any further reductions to Medicaid, an already underfunded program, would greatly reduce access to care for individuals with ID/DD, stripping them of the systems that allow them to live safely and independently. It would also place an increased burden on unpaid family caregivers.

With over half a million individuals in Michigan living with disabilities, I urge our lawmakers to reject any proposal that would undermine their care. We must stand by our vulnerable communities.

Sincerely,

Sarah Benson

Executive Director, The Arc Northern Michigan