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111 Washington Avenue, Suite 101 |
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| For Immediate Release - PRESS CONFERENCE January 23, 2003 |
For more information contact: Linda Gutmann (718) 803-3782, Ext. 290 |
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January 27, 2003 - 1:00 PM
Legislative Office
Building (LCA Room)
Albany, NY
On Monday, January 27, the New York State Disability Budget & Policy Coalition will hold a press conference to discuss their legislative priorities for the new legislative session, which include several proposals that could significantly reduce the state’s budget deficit. Later in the afternoon, the Coalition will present to members of the legislature their 2003 New York State Disability Budget & Policy Agenda at a small reception.
The disability community understands that New York is facing an economic crisis, and is are offering solutions. Four of the Coalition’s proposals would substantially cut NYS Medicaid spending by consolidating duplicative programs and making low-cost community based long-term care services available to tens of thousands of New Yorkers whose only current option is extremely expensive facility-based services. Two other proposals are cost-neutral, while for the remaining four proposals the potential costs are undetermined but expected to be marginal.
One of the Coalition’s highest priorities in 2003 is to enact a "Most Integrated Setting" Medicaid waiver program for people with disabilities who have no access to other waiver-funded community-based supports, including the majority of people now living in nursing homes. The Coalition anticipates significant Medicaid cost savings if this proposal is approved.
Consolidating employment programs for people with disabilities under one roof is another cost-saving proposal. For example, Supported Employment programs for people with disabilities currently are regulated and funded by four different State agencies, each with its own set of rules and documentation requirements. This creates duplicative paperwork for service providers, and simply wastes State funds. The Coalition seeks to allow funds for disability employment programs to follow the consumer as s/he transitions from segregated to integrated employment.
This is the second year in a row that NY State’s disability community has united behind the Disability Budget & Policy Agenda, which promotes policies that actively expand equality and opportunity for people of all ages and disabilities. "If New York’s disability community wants to be heard, it has to have a strong voice," said Maria Dibble, Executive Director of the Southern Tier Independence Center in Binghamton. "The Disability Budget & Policy Agenda is a great way for us to show our unified support for a variety of disability-related issues." Last year, four Coalition proposals were introduced as legislation in the State Assembly, and two—the Medicaid Buy-In and the Most Integrated Setting bill, were passed by both houses and signed into law.
The mission of the nonpartisan New York State Disability Budget and Policy Coalition (DBPC) is to work together to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities and their family members. DBPC focuses on cross-disability issues that foster greater community integration, promote consumer control and choice and empower people of all ages and disabilities to realize their dreams of inclusion and independence.