New DRO publication illustrates the importance of Medicaid waiver services

March 14, 2017 / Medicaid

Proposed changes to Medicaid could impact the nearly 1.5 million Ohioans with disabilities who are at risk of losing health care coverage, benefits and their right to live and work in the community.

To illustrate how one person with disabilities can change a community, Disability Rights Ohio has created a booklet, Medicaid Matters: Justin Martin Rallies His Community to Defend Waiver Services. Justin recently testified before the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities on their proposed rule to limit overtime for independent service providers -- a cut that would leave a 14-hour hole in Justin's schedule, making it impossible for him to remain at Kenyon College. Twenty-one of his friends from Kenyon also came and testified, sharing how much simply knowing Justin has changed their lives and changed the Kenyon community. 

To express your opinions about how Medicaid cuts might affect people with disabilities, search for your federal representatives and their contact information at the following links:

U.S. House of Representatives: http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/; and

U.S. Senate: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

The United States Capitol switchboard is available at (202) 224-3121. An operator will connect you directly with the office you request. You can also text your address to 520-200-2223 and get a text with contact info for your state and federal elected representatives.