Medicaid

Issue:         

Medicaid is the backbone of services to people with developmental disabilities across the nation, and particularly in New York State. Medicaid comprises approximately 90 percent of the funding to the Arc New York and other developmental disabilities providers in our state. Cuts to Medicaid funding would prove devastating to the families we serve and services we provide.

If previous attempts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) had been successful, the cuts would have cost New York State between $4 billion and $7 billion in federal Medicaid funds. That represents nearly a 10% cut to all Medicaid providers, and would devastate the state’s system of programs and services for people with developmental disabilities. 

Medicaid is still at risk. Advocates stopped previous attempts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care act, but key members of Congress continue to target Medicaid as a solution to contain the nation’s growing federal deficit. Proposed actions include cuts to the Nation’s Medicaid program, and attempts to eliminate it as an entitlement program by converting it to a block grant or per capita cap system of reimbursement to states. 

Position:       

The Arc New York, along with thousands of other developmental disabilities providers and advocates across the nation, will vigilantly defend the Medicaid program from any actions in Washington that reduce federal Medicaid funding.