#AdvocacyMatters: Medicaid in Danger

May 16, 2025 / #AdvocacyMatters

A Federal budget proposal currently advancing through committee review contains hundreds of billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid, putting the healthcare of 70 million Americans – including millions of people with disabilities – at risk. More than 13 million people could lose coverage entirely.

For several months, organizations like ours have been warning about how proposed cuts to Medicaid funding would disproportionally impact people with disabilities all across the country.

Earlier this week, DRO joined dozens of agencies in sending a letter to Ohio’s legislators about the dangers of Medicaid cuts in our state. Medicaid provides vital healthcare for 2.9 million adults and children in Ohio.

“Medicaid is a lifeline that empowers older adults to age in place and people with disabilities to live fulfilling lives in their communities,” the letter reads. “Medicaid provides needed supports for daily activities, such as bathing, eating, or managing medications. Without Medicaid, many older Ohioans and Ohioans with disabilities will be left without the care necessary to stay in their homes and live meaningful lives, including the ability to work and contribute to their communities.”

“DRO was honored to work with our aging and disability advocacy partners to share concerns about possible cuts to Medicaid funding,” reflected Kerstin Sjoberg, DRO President and CEO. “Any reductions in Medicaid coverage will negatively impact older adults and people with disabilities making it harder to stay in their homes, work and participate in their communities, and get their health care needs met.”

“People with disabilities will suffer if these proposals become law,” said Katy Neas, CEO of The Arc of the United States. “It will mean people with disabilities ending up in emergency rooms instead of getting preventive care. It will mean people being forced to live in institutions or become homeless. It will mean caregivers unable to support their loved ones. It will mean states not having the tools they need to respond to local needs.”

You can use this Action Alert tool from our partners at National Disability Rights Network to connect with your representative.

#AdvocacyMatters