Speak up. Be loud. Here are talking points and resources
-The state's tax revenue is way down, which means legislators will be facing tough budget decisions – including whether to cut Medicaid long-term supports. There are proposed cuts to both DSHS Developmental Disabilities Administration and DSHS Aging and Long-Term Supports Administration. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities may be served by either or both.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
PEOPLE WOULD NO LONGER QUALIFY: The cuts come from changing eligibility requirements. This means people affected would no longer be eligible for DDA or ALTSA (or both). This is NOT a proposal to trim back some services clients get. It is a proposal that boots them off all long-term support.
PEOPLE WITH HIGHER SUPPORT NEEDS MAY BE CUT: The cuts are NOT limited to people with light support needs. Proposed eligibility changes would affect people with medium to significant support needs, as well.
CUTS GO DEEP: 30 percent of DDA clients supported in the community could lose all services. Overall, a quarter of DDA clients would lose services. ALTSA changes would affect hundreds of DDA clients supported in Adult Family Homes – meaning they would literally lose their homes – plus many people with developmental disabilities who don't qualify for DDA but do for ALTSA could loose those supports. Eligibility changes would also affect Community First Choice, or personal care.
The situation is serious: DDA started the required approval process through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. This is so they could cut supports, if required, by July 2021.
... But no decisions have been made. Typically the state legislature finalizes the state budget in late spring.
You can keep up to date on this and other issues by subscribing to newsletters from The Arc of King County Advocacy Team:
- Engage – Advocacy news and opportunities for civic engagement. Subscribe: https://signup.e2ma.net/signup/1894973/1898164/
- Community Change Champions – opportunities for people with disabilities. Subscribe: https://signup.e2ma.net/signup/1902489/1898164
- Sharing – Designed for the King County Parent and Family Coalition; includes information for people using and navigating supports. Subscribe: https://signup.e2ma.net/signup/1894973/1898164/
WHAT TO DO: Contact your three state legislators now. We recommend emails - they are easier for legislators to track. Meetings are also great.
You can find your legislators here: https://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder
When you click on their name, their contact info comes up. Legislative emails all use the same protocol: firstname.lastname@leg.wa.gov
Plan on communicating with your legislators at least four times between now and spring:
- NOW - Explain how loss of eligibility would affect you;
say what you want them to do. (Example: Please commit to educating other legislators in your caucus about the impact these cuts will have on constituents). See our message guide, below, for more detail. If you have a newly elected representative, reach out as soon as they are sworn in (early January). - GOVERNOR BUDGET PROPOSAL - Expected mid-December to early January. Respond to his proposal (whether he includes cuts, or advocates to protect; how he frames the need for possible cuts, etc).
- MID-SESSION - Quick update and reminder to keep it on their radar. Mid to late February
- CLOSE TO END OF SESSION - Final reminder of impact cuts/investments will have as legislators consider final budget proposals. Mid to late March.
RESOURCES TO USE NOW:
Guide to write a message: https://arcofkingcountyvoice.blogspot.com/2020/09/how-to-contact-your-legislator-and-what.html
Power point presentation (updated 10/20/20): https://arcofkingcounty.org/file_download/6b1ef4bf-31c7-4632-85a8-d4e40e5a9dd9
Issue paper for legislators (talking points and graphics): https://arcofkingcounty.org/file_download/2a30b8f1-4b5f-4f03-bb57-56c7bf479deb
Action alerts: Subscribe to The Arc of Washington's action alerts: https://arcwa.org/action-center/
