Press Release  Massachusetts Brings Medicaid Stories to Capitol Hill to Oppose Harmful Cuts to Disability Services

Quincy, Mass. — Today, stories from Massachusetts residents with disabilities who rely on Medicaid are being shared on Capitol Hill as part of a national push to protect and strengthen the program. Advocates, families, and individuals with disabilities from across the country have come together in Washington, D.C., to remind lawmakers of the real-world impact Medicaid has in every state.

Here in Massachusetts, our Medicaid program is called MassHealth. The federal government funds about 61% of our state’s Medicaid, and Massachusetts covers the remaining 39% of costs. Around 1.7 million people are enrolled in MassHealth for services and supports. About 29% of these Medicaid enrollees are elderly individuals or people with disabilities. 

Stories collected from the national network of state developmental disabilities councils will be read during the vigil. These stories from states across the country provide a national snapshot of exactly who will be harmed should Congress enact the proposed cuts to Medicaid.

"When Medicaid is cut, it's not just budgets being slashed it's the futures of children like mine," said Cynthia Laine, MDDC Citizen Member. "Our children deserve the opportunity to thrive, and Medicaid makes that possible."

The vigil will end at 1 PM on Thursday, May 8th following a rally.

Over this week, NACDD’s policy team hand-delivered stories of constituents to members for the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee as Medicaid markup will be expected to take place the week of May 12th.

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