Survival Coalition of more than 20 statewide disability organizations issued this statement today in response to the Senate’s passage of a budget reconciliation bill that cuts over $1 trillion in Medicaid and $300 billion in SNAP food assistance in the next decade.
“People with disabilities, their families who provide care, and countless locall businesses that support people with disabilities in their homes and communities have been clear for months that the proposed budget bill will create direct harm. They have been tireless in efforts to educate policymakers on the value and benefit of Medicaid as a cost effective, efficient way to keep people healthy, safe, and connected to their communities and out of costly hospitals and institutions. Today’s passage of a Senate bill that includes even deeper cuts than the House version feels like an attack on the lives and well-being of Wisconsin’s disability and aging communities. Survival Coalition continues to welcome opportunities to sit down with policymakers on ideas to improve public programs to ensure both quality and cost effectiveness. Today’s vote for steep cuts was not the way. People with disabilities, older adults, their caregivers, families and communities will pay the price.”
To recap the Senate bill, it would cut more than $1.1 trillion from Medicaid, Medicare and the ACA: all programs that people with disabilities and who are aging need each day. The bill also cuts 30% or $300 billion from food assistance. More than 45% of Wisconsin’s SNAP participants are people with disabilities.
