Balancing a Budget on the Backs of the Disabled

The Florida legislature just went into session last week, and there are already very pertinent pieces of legislation pending that could greatly affect the citizens ARC Marion serves and the developmentally disabled across our state.  In fact, in the next 14 days, the Senate and House Appropriations Committees are considering two options to further reduce funding by up to 15% for the developmentally and intellectually disabled. (Remember, Florida already ranks 50^th out of 50 states for Medicaid waiver funding for these special people!)

1)      They want to bundle services for clients so that only 30 hours a week would be funded for adult day training (ADT), supported employment, supported independent living, respite and companion services.  The 30 hours is the amount of time a client attends ADT weekly alone.  However, many clients receive and NEED additional supports included in those they are trying to bundle.

2)      The other option is to still bundle some services but cut back to only 20 hours a week—that means 10 less hours of funding for any developmentally disabled individual in Florida!

I’m steaming mad, like I was back in January (see here and here), and I could tell you exactly how I feel about what these elected officials are trying to accomplish by essentially bankrupting the disabled.  However, I would rather allow you to see what one of the ARC Marion client’s thinks instead.  Here is the letter he dictated to ARC Marion staff members so that he, a constituent in the state of Florida, could let his legislators know just what they are trying to do.

To Whom It May Concern:

If you are holding in your hand and reading this letter from me, Matt Molfese, then you obviously hold a job and are a functioning adult and not reliant on the need of 100% assistance.

Did you wash up or shower before the start of your day today?  Well then consider yourself lucky…someone has to wash me and dress me, because I can’t!

Did you eat breakfast this morning, maybe holding your own cup of coffee or juice?  Did you feed yourself?  I can’t!

Did you do the simple task of brushing your teeth?  Well an individual must brush mine for me, because I can’t even hold my own toothbrush!

This is only the start of my day.  I am a 43-year-old gentleman with cerebral palsy.  I am non-ambulatory and wheel chair bound.  My limbs are severely contracted.  I am unable to feed myself, and I am incontinent.  Need I say more?  I am 100% disabled and 100% dependent for all daily living skills which others take for granted, like simply washing, dressing, using the restroom, eating and learning.  But despite all of these issues, I’m informing you that I am a human being just like you.

So in closing, my name is Matt Molfese… I have a heart that feels and beats just like yours.  I can hear you, and I listen.  I can see you, and I react.  I may not be able to function solely, but I do have a brain… one that feels, comprehends, understands and is smart.  So, under my obvious circumstances, how can you even consider taking away or lessening the needed and necessary care and funding away from me, or to provide me with 30 hours a week or five days a week of care?  May I ask what about the rest of the day and night?  If all I have is you, what will happen to me?  Please read this letter, look from my eyes, and feel from my heart and hear me!

I could not have said it better myself! Matt’s letter along with a bundle of others from ARC Marion clients will be heading up to Tallahassee within the next 24 hours.  It’s time to let the elected officials know they can’t make up budget deficits by hurting the disabled! 

**Want to know how you can help?  Contact the members of the Florida Senate Health & Human Services Appropriations Committee  or the Florida House Healthcare Appropriations Committee today! Visit http://floridaarf.org/ Grassroots page for more information and talking points.