| SACRAMENTO—Today, 2,400 stories from California residents with disabilities who rely on Medicaid were shared with the U.S. Senate as part of a national push to protect and strengthen the program. This week the U.S. Senate is discussing changes to Medicaid as part of the budget reconciliation process through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
“The voices, stories, and pictures of people who rely on Medicaid programs must be center in any discussion about changes,” said Julie Gaona, Chair of the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD). “These are their stories, in their own words, and we are proud to get them to the Senate at this critical decision point.”
Over 17 million Californians rely on programs that are funded by Medicaid dollars and other programs Congress is considering cutting. This includes over 488,000 people with developmental disabilities served by regional centers, 830,000 people living independently with In-Home Supportive Services, 59,000 foster youth, and 14,500,000 people whose health insurance is Medi-Cal.
“When 43% of Californians benefit from a program funded by Medicaid, these services support every part of our state,” said Gaona. “We want to be sure people with disabilities and aging adults in California can live, work, play, and contribute to their community.”
The California State Council on Developmental Disabilities has been collecting stories from Californians on what Medicaid funded programs mean to them and what could happen if these services are reduced or cut.
Media can request stories from specific cities or areas of California by emailing policy@scdd.ca.gov.
Add your voice! Share your Medicaid story here: https://bit.ly/CaliforniaSCDD
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About The California State Council on Developmental Disabilities: The California State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) advocates, promotes, and implements policies and practices that achieve self-determination, independence, productivity, and inclusion in all aspects of community life for Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. For more information about SCDD, visit www.scdd.ca.gov. |
