The failure of the U.S. Senate to pass the “skinny repeal” health care bill in July was good news for people with disabilities.
For people with disabilities on waiting lists for the home and community-based services and for people now receiving home-based services through Medicaid, the repeal bill was a threat to their health, independence and well-being. Under the repeal bill, Medicaid would have been capped, and states would have eventually needed to cut services that support people with disabilities living in their own homes. This would force people into more expensive institutions, such as nursing homes, which are already home to many people with disabilities who would choose to receive supports in their own homes if those services were available.
Instead of raising the specter of repealing the Affordable Care Act again, we should work together to improve programs, reduce premiums, and increase community-based support, allowing those now on waiting lists for services and those forced to stay in nursing homes to be independent in their own homes and communities.
— Curtis Harris, Chicago
