Across the Â鶹´«Ã½¹ÙÍø/Salem community people with disabilities rely on an array of support services to live, work and thrive.
As a mother of a child supported by these services, I know firsthand that the Â鶹´«Ã½¹ÙÍø community is better when it includes everyone, regardless of their disability.
My son Shawn loves interacting with our community. He knows all our neighbors by name, and they light up during his visits. Thanks to Medicaid-funded services, he's grown more independent and confidently initiates conversations he once would have avoided.
But a crisis looms for people with developmental disabilities. Community based services are heavily supported by Medicaid, and the House of Representatives wants to slash billions from Medicaid.
Such a drastic cut all but dismantles the federal Medicaid program, leaving hundreds of thousands more Americans without the services they need.
There are already more than 15,000 Americans with disabilities stuck on Virginia’s waiting list for Medicaid-funded services. Some have waited between 10 to 12 years to access services.
If Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner agree that our community is stronger when it includes people with disabilities, then they must reject any proposal to cut funding for the federal Medicaid program.
Without these vital supports, Shawn would face a limited, isolated existence. I don't want that for him. Our community doesn't either. We are all enriched by his presence and the contributions of all people with disabilities who are able to participate fully in community life.
