GCDD Urges Georgia's Disability Community to Speak Out About Possible Cuts Congress Considers Making to Medicaid and Social Security
Written by Tianna Faulkner on .
January 27, 2025 (Atlanta, GA) - The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is urging Georgia’s disability community to speak out about the possibility of Congress making cuts to Medicaid and changes to Social Security Income (SSI), services that Georgians, including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) heavily rely on.
Congress is considering $2.17 trillion in federal Medicaid cuts. These cuts will heavily impact the nearly 2 million Georgians who are enrolled in the program. Medicaid is crucial for many people with disabilities, offering both health care and community-based supports to help them live fulfilling lives. These cuts will mean less funding for the following:
- Home and Community-Based Services such as NOW/COMP waivers.
- Healthcare services including hospital services, physician services, laboratory and x-ray services, and home health services.
- Assessment and treatment services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- Katie Beckett Program services that allow children with disabilities to receive care at home rather than in institutions.
Congress is also considering making it more difficult for individuals and families to get Social Security Income (SSI). This includes lowering the resource limit from $400 to $0, adding a sliding scale to SSI, and requiring school attendance for children to receive SSI.
GCDD is asking the disability community in Georgia to speak out and contact their representatives in Congress why Medicaid cuts and changes to SSI could impact their lives and how cuts would financially impact communities. This bill will move through Congress fast. A first vote could come in early February, which is why GCDD is asking Georgia’s disability community to act now.
Click the link below to call or email your Congressperson:
Find Your Legislator - Plural Policy
The goal is to get individuals to share their stories of how Medicaid has impacted their lives or the life of a loved one. There, that person will be able to educate their Congressperson on the importance of preserving Medicaid benefits for Georgians with disabilities who rely on it to access essential supports and services.
The following link which was provided by KFF details Medicaid statistics in Georgia:
About the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities: The mission of the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities is to bring about social and policy changes that promote opportunities for the wide spectrum of diverse people with developmental disabilities and their families to live, learn, lead, work, play and worship in their communities. www.gcdd.org
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