Dear Friends:
Please contact your local Senators and Representatives regarding these proposed budget cuts as outlined in the attached letter to Senator Harry Blevins. If anyone in our legislature understood the intricacies of Medicaid and the many, many wastes perpetuated by those whose wish to justify their existence in the system, there would be no need for cuts. Example: Last year the Department of Human Rights demanded my profoundly retarded (can’t use that word) and handicapped adult son see a psychologist (to the tune of $400.00 to be paid by Medicaid) to determine his ability to make decisions for himself. My son had multiple cumulative medical records to support his inability to make decisions. Had I not kicked and screamed loudly and enlisted the help of Dr. David Weinstein, they would have needlessly spent this money. Many, many individuals like my son were required to submit to this needless evaluation. That was your money!
Why do we all sit around talking about government wastes and still allow our Congress and State representatives to make budget cuts that adversely affect the lives of our most fragile citizens, such as the disabled and elderly? Please, help. Jump on their backs like hornets. Stop this budget cut. Scream loudly about wastes and pork in the budgets. Do more than Monday morning quarterback! Get involved. The changes they make in Medicare today may affect you in the future. Forward this to as many people as possible.
To read the proposed cuts in the budget for Health and Human Services click on the link below:
http://leg1.state.va.us/101/bud/BudSum/HHR.PDF
Today, I sent the following letter or a variation thereof to ALL Virginia State Senators:
February 4, 2010
The Honorable Harry Blevins
State Senate
Commonwealth of Virginia
Facsimile No: 1-804-698-7968
RE: Proposed budgetary reductions
Dear Sir:
As your constituent, I have great moral and personal concerns regarding proposed budgetary cuts to community based services for people with disabilities. I form my strong opinions and informed decisions both as the Mother of an adult profoundly retarded and handicapped son, and as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia who has experienced first -hand the quality of life provided in both the institutional and long term care settings. My son was once “housed” in Southeastern Virginia Training Center, much to his physical and emotional detriment. Additionally, I have been the Director of Nursing Services of facilities in Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland.
The proposed budgetary cuts include the elimination of 1,000 ID Waivers and 134 DD waivers, a waiver enrollment freeze, a 5% cut to all waiver services and a 2/3 reduction to respite hours for families. This will be detrimental to the most fragile of our citizens. It appears immoral to me, that any state, would consider delivering fewer and reduced services to this demography. Community services have been proven to provide better quality of care than institutions, for a lot less money, while allowing people to to live in a home environment, maintain dignity and develop feelings of self-worth. The Commonwealth of Virginia’s policy and blind eye to institutionalizing people with disabilities is both morally and fiscally irresponsible. Don’t be a part of the history your grandchildren will read about the horrors of neglect in such places.
My son is presently a recipient of Medicaid waiver services. As such, I am now able to personally care for him at home. We tried many forms of services prior to his becoming a part of the Sponsored Family Life Program. In the past, while I worked, he was cared for by certified nursing assistants in my home. His longtime assistant died approximately 6 years ago. Following that, we experienced a succession of assistants who may or may not have come to work, leaving my own job in jeopardy. The final blow was when my son lost 25 pounds in one month from not being fed properly.
The individuals to whom care is provided in this program have very specific and detailed plans of care. It is not an easy job, but it is a rewarding endeavor for both the caretaker and the recipient of the care. I invite you to please come to my home and spend a day observing what this program entails and the benefits thereof. I firmly believe that most Representatives and Senators have little or no idea what the waiver services actually provide and include, or the alternatives to a reduction in said services.
Most of the care providers in this program are not parents of the client. I am fortunate to be able to deliver appropriate care and treatment to my son. A 5% reduction in waiver fees will severely impact my son and the care he receives. I presently provide twenty-four (24) hour 1:1 care for him. He has diagnoses of profound MR, spastic quadriplegia, seizure disorder, deafness, aphasia, chronic aspiration pneumonia, and GERD among others. Without the present rate of the waiver services, I may not be able to care for him at home.
Please contact me if you elect to visit my home or have any questions regarding waiver services. Thank you for your kind consideration in this matter.
