Anonymous | Nov 10, 2006

I wonder if there is a way to sort out from the proposal or any similar initiative those persons who are receiving health services through Medicaid because of their disability?

Marsha Gordon | Nov 10, 2006

The Business Council of Westchester supports Westchester ARC in your opposition to this proposal. This is an ill-founded attempt to shift additional costs to business and will ultimately be a deterrent to hiring good employees. Westchester County must work to retain good employers and create new jobs for all our citizens.

Mohan Mehra | Nov 11, 2006

The report from the County Executive's office reflects a lack of understanding of the role of Medicaid in funding supports for people with disabilities.In addition to medical expenses, it also funds long-term supports needed by people with disabilities so that they may functiion as a fully participating member of the community. Qualification for Medicaid is determined by the Department of HHS.
Penalizing employers who hire Medicaid eligible people with disabilities , is totally inappropriate. These are enlightened employers and should be recognized for the commitment they make to hiring people with disabilities. Organizations such as Westchester Arc have annual celeberations to recognize them. The County through its actions should not discourage them, but do all it can to assist people with disabilities to find jobs and become valued members of the community.

Kim E. Spahn | Nov 13, 2006

It was discouraging to see the county take such a negative and judgmental view on why employers hire people with disabilities. Professionals in the field spend lengthy amounts of time cultivating and forming partnerships with businesses so that no one is taken advantage of, from either the employee, or employer side of the equation. Many of our consumers need to start their employment experience at less than full time employment. We have found many of the employers mentioned in the article are willing to carve out hours to meet the needs of those entering the job market for the first time.

Tom Abinanti, County Legislator | Nov 14, 2006

While the County Executive has not yet shared his report with the County Board of Legislators, my reading of newspaper reports leads me to share the concerns expressed so far in this blog. I will ask the Chair of the Families and Human Services Committee to obtain a copy of the report, schedule a meeting to discuss the report and invite you to participate.

We should note that there are some employers who do not hire people with disabilities and do not provide health care. We should not get involved in the overall debate but, instead,we should focus on our issue.