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Wednesday, 20 August 2008 |
· POSITION STATEMENT ON PROPOSED GOVERNOR'S & LEGISLATURE'S STATE BUDGET CUTS FOR 2008-2009
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| NYSACRA BUDGET UPDATE
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| Issue No. 38-08
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August 19, 2008
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Open Your Eyes! Watch it Now!
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NYSACRA Calendar
Executive Positions
Action Center
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Greetings NYSACRA Members!
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| · POSITION STATEMENT ON PROPOSED GOVERNOR'S & LEGISLATURE'S STATE BUDGET CUTS FOR 2008-2009
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NYSACRA agencies recognize the economic downturn affecting New York State and the entire nation; however, the State must also recognize and meet the need for continuation of essential services to New Yorkers with developmental disabilities.
NYSACRA agencies are extremely wary of the possibility of significant cuts to services to New Yorkers with developmental disabilities as a result of state budget cutting negotiations.
The leaders are currently discussing cuts, including a 6% cut in unspent money remaining as of the end of August 2008, and "efficiency" cuts to Medicaid. These cuts cannot be absorbed without significant impacts on the people who receive needed services. Any such cuts that would be implemented by refusing services to people previously served, would have a devastating effect on the lives of the people NYSACRA agencies serve - services that are truly life-line services as well as life maintenance and support functions.
How will we determine which individuals with disabilities needs would be met and who would be turned away from services they rely upon for their daily living, health, and independence? OMRDD has rightly adopted a philosophy of people first and person centered supports, leading to richer and more independent lives of the people we serve. These proposed cuts would undermine what we have accomplished.
It is important to first look at possible revenue generating strategies that should be examined, including those such as the so- called "millionaire's tax," as well as other possible revenue-generating techniques, such as maximization of federal assistance. Simply cutting non-hospital Medicaid expenses will result in disproportionate and excessive pain on New Yorkers who are in greatest need.
Tough economic times do indeed call for tough decisions; but please don't let services to New Yorkers with developmental disabilities be diminished.
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