Our mission is to empower children and adults with developmental disabilities to achieve their potential based on personal choices, abilities and interests...
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Mellissa Lang
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phone: 914.949.9300,
ext. 4618
fax: 914.997.2985
or 914.428.0322
mlang@westchesterarc.org
Westchester Arc
The Gleeson-Israel Gateway Center
265 Saw Mill River Road
Hawthorne, NY 10532
914.949.9300
info@westchesterarc.org
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Press Release
Bush Administration Budget Would Harm People with Disabilities
Spokesman Assails Administration Proposals
WHITE PLAINS, New York, February 16, 2005 — Speaking on “The Challenges of the 109th Congress” at Westchester Arc’s February 9 membership meeting, Paul Marchand, staff director of The Arc of the United States and United Cerebral Palsy public policy collaboration, outlined the true cost to people with disabilities of the Bush administration’s proposed 2006 budget. The proposal outlines $60 billion in Medicaid cuts over 10 years, with an undefined $15 billion “add back” for new benefits and beneficiaries.
Marchand explained that many of the most important programs now covered in New York State by Medicaid are state options. These optional programs are likely to be cut to meet the administration goal of reducing Medicaid funding. “The hidden agenda is to create a ceiling or block grant, which would effectively destroy the entitlement,” he declared. Day habilitation, residential services, home and community services, dental and vision care, and prescription drugs are only a few of the programs in jeopardy.
Marchand continued with a critique of President Bush’s Social Security agenda. “If you privatize the system, you take money out of it. One-third of Social Security’s monthly payments go to non-retirement beneficiaries. Privatization would devastate survivor and disability payments because there would be less money available.”
He urged Westchester ARC members to mount an education campaign over the coming months to sensitize legislators to the personal toll that this budget will exact. “Tell your family stories to your representatives and senators,” he urged.
Michael Mendelson, director of special education for the Scarsdale school district, discussed local implementation of IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), the recently re-authorized legislation guaranteeing free public education to people with disabilities. He noted that although the law requires schools to be in compliance by July 1, 2005, many requirements remain vague and confusing. He urged parents to attend local training sessions in coming months in order to most effectively advocate for the rights of their children.
Westchester Arc is the largest organization in the county serving people of all ages who have intellectual or developmental disabilities. Established over 50 years ago, Westchester Arc is a family-focused agency offering opportunities to individuals having disabilities such as autistic spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, mental retardation, cerebral palsy and learning disabilities. The agency has long advocated educational and social inclusion for people with disabilities because of its wide-ranging benefits to the entire community. The agency is funded through both public and private means.
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