Proposal to remove Medicaid expansion jeopardizes critical investments for people with disabilities
People with disabilities and families across Wisconsin are pleading with state lawmakers to reconsider their proposal to remove Medicaid expansion form the state budget. On Tuesday, May 7 people from Eau Claire to Milwaukee to Janesville are sharing their stories about how the savings from Medicaid expansion is essential. (Press Conference at 9:30 AM, Room 330 SW).
Survival Coalition of Wisconsin Disability Organization members have consistently supported Medicaid expansion; many people with disabilities, older adults, family caregivers, and almost 30% of the homecare workforce are in BadgerCare.
Medicaid provides access to critical services for many people with disabilities which are not available at all or to the degree needed in private insurance. Allowing people to earn more while keeping their health care lets people, including caregivers, work more hours.
Savings from the proposed Medicaid expansion leverage an estimated $1.6 billion of new federal funding; the budget proposes to reinvest in programs and services critical to people with disabilities and older adults.