Tag Archives: Legislation

How to Improve Medicaid

How to Improve Medicaid

Image emphasizes Medicaid people on Medicaid already cannot get enough support and suggestions to improve it.
Ways to improve Medicaid, end waiting lists and staff shortages! Increase civil rights!
Full description

Doodles & text about improving medicaid. Title: How to improve medicaid (for those who “truly need it”).

Image: Man in wheelchair smacking his head. T-shirt reads, “Our homes not nursing homes”. He is saying “we already cannot get enough support to eat, bathe, dress, toilet, transportation, work, shop or be safe.”  Image: Shocked looking man, “You mean disabled folks don’t just get what they need?” A large question mark over his head.

Highlighted groups of texts. Increase funding! End waiting lists! Millions unserved & underserved! This group includes a doodle of a money bag and green arrow pointing up. Increase rates! End staffing shortage crisis! Improve quality! Side image of dollar signs getting larger with an arrow going up.  End institutional bias! Home & community based services (HCBS) must be mandatory! (not optional). Increase rights, protections, opportunities & accessibility!

At the bottom of the cartoon is a row of protest signs and hands. Signs read: Equal access! Disability rights are civil rights! Stop segregation! Implement Olmstead! End disability poverty! Community supports now! Cuts will kill! Real homes not group homes! The words “Talk with the people!” Appears over a cat. Colleen Tomko copyright 2025

When states get fewer dollars they have limited choices.

  1. Reduce Benefits
  2. Reduce Enrollees
  3. Take funds from other budget items
  4. Raise taxes

Medicaid is already underfunded and requires increased funding to meet the needs of people with disabilities and seniors. General cuts (Even when claiming to address specific issues) have historically been shown to reduce critical community services for people with disabilities, because they are optional and the easiest to reduce in state budgets.

For example: From 2010 to 2012, all states reduced HCBS program spending in response to Federal Medicaid cuts. All states reduced spending on Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), either by spending less per person or by reducing the number of beneficiaries receiving HCBS. In many states, waiting lists for HCBS grew substantially, and still exist today!

When states reduce Medicaid’s Home and Community Based Services, people lose essential supports to remain in thier own homes and community. This is in direct conflict with the Supreme Court’s 1999 Olmstead decision, which established that unjustified segregation of people with disabilities in institutions is a form of discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), creating civil liberties issue. Private insurance companies do not provide for community services or home care. Without Medicaid, everyone becomes susceptable to loss of their civil rights and being forced into institutional care when they have greater needs.

CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS!
(866) 473-5915

Let them know what Medicaid means to you, your families, friends and neighbors! Let them know how they can improve Medicaid!

Disability Inclusive Curriculum

Disability Inclusive Curriculum

Disability Equality in Education

Disability Inclusive CurriculumThe Disability Equality in Education (DEE) organization is a cross-disability led non-profit organization that initiated efforts to implement a Disability Inclusive Curriculum in schools. Pennsylvania is the first state to introduce the curriculum, which DEE hopes will eventually take place in all schools nationwide.

The ‘Disability Inclusive Curriculum’ will help K-12 students understand that disabilities are natural by embedding representation and lessons  about people with disabilities throughout the general education curriculum, activites and environments.  It includes teaching students about the political economic, and social contributions by people with disabilities.

Nothing About Us Without Us

DEE brings a unique perspective and expertise on disability in to the educational setting because of contributions by their network of disabled people and advocates from around the world. “Nothing About Us Without Us” is the heart of who they are and what they do.

A comprehensive ‘Disability Inclusive Curriculum Lesson Plan Library‘ was created by DEE and is available on their website as a resource for teachers to explore disability in the classroom. The focus is to normalize the idea of disability with all students.

In Pennsylvania

To learn more about the pilot program in Pennsylvania visit Pennsylvania’s Disability Inclusive Curriculum Pilot Program. Schools can apply for up to $30,000 in grant funding available through the Pa Department of Education to implement disability inclusive curriculum. Funding will be granted to successful applicants for a three-year period from the date of the award through June 30, 2026. A maximum of $10,000 per year is available to each school entity or nonpublic school entity.  Grant applications are due by May 15th, 2023. There is also a webinar overview of the grants and Q & A’s at https://www.pattan.net/Supports/Inclusive-Practices 

Support DEE and the Disability Inclusive Curriculum

Artsy colorful paper cut outs of 5 students of diverstiy, two using wheelchairs. Color pencils pointing at the group.
  • Donate with PayPal
  •  
  • Send checks: “DEE” 3607 Windsor Drive, Bensalem, PA 19020
  • Help DEE get connected with grants and donors for funding
  • Network with DEE and talk to leaders and advocates in your state
  • Contact DEE info@disabilityequalityeducation.org
  • Visit the DEE website
  • Join the DEE Education Forum on Facebook
  • Share this initiative with others to help and support DEE and the implemention of Disability Inclusive Curriculum.

Your support can make teaching a ‘Disability Inclusive Curriculum’ to all students in all schools across the nation possible!


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