Lisa Poteat at The Carolina Journal:
The US House Budget Committee recently proposed, on Page 30 of their budget resolution, a per capita cap for Medicaid for each state. These caps would most likely not get North Carolina the funding needed for all Medicaid recipients and programs.
Medicaid is key to people with IDD living productive lives in the community of their choice. A loss of funding to this program would not only upend the lives of people with IDD and their families, but it would also harm North Carolina’s economy.
If a person with IDD loses access to supports and services due to cuts in the Medicaid program, some of the ripple effects include:
Employment: Many people with IDD are employed. A loss of funds could close supported-employment programs. It could also mean funding isn’t available to pay for the DSPs. If a DSP is not able to help, parent(s) may have to quit their jobs to stay home full time to take care of their child. All these scenarios result in a negative compounding effect in economic losses.
Increase to NC Innovations Waiver waitlist: North Carolina already limits HCBS due to constraints on available funding, with 18,771 people with IDD are currently on a waitlist to receive Medicaid-funded HCBS.
State budget: State legislators would have to look at making up for the loss in federal funds.
Shutdown of rural hospitals: Many people with IDD living in rural parts of North Carolina need access to rural hospitals for emergency care. Medicaid funding enables rural hospitals and other critical health care infrastructure to stay open and provide care.
Community based organizations: Organizations providing HCBS may have to furlough staff due to cuts in HCBS funding.
Loss of independence: Without supports in place, people with IDD may be forced to move into an institution and out of their community.
