Will We Be Proud of Ourselves in the Morning?

The final day to turn in your ballots is just a few days away – two days to be exact. Wednesday morning we will no longer listen to the debate over the cost of Measures 66 & 67. We will live it.

In these past months I have been utterly dismayed by the content of the debate. It seems to me the messages have focused on the payment of the taxes rather than the costs of not paying them.

I understand the impact to a person or company’s budget is important. But what about the impact to these same people and their community  if the measures fail?

This question usually brings answers about schools, libraries, jails, police, and so on. These are, of course important. Just for a minute, let me direct your attention to the world of one of Oregon’s most vulnerable populations: adults with disabilities. Here's just a peek at what I have been learning.

Should Measures 66 & 67 fail, the brokerages will close in 2011.

That does not merely mean the business will close. It means the waiver money for 5000-6000 people with disabilities will disappear, too. Oregon will no longer participate in the waiver to receive federal matching dollars.

As with any budget issue, this has a trickle down effect.

• Brokerage employees will be out of work:  approximately 2000 people statewide.

• Those working as direct support professionals (not a high paying job), will also lose their jobs: more than 1000 people.
• Parents of those people with disabilities – most of whom live at home – will need to provide the services without pay. Many will need to quit or reduce their work to do this:  4000-5000 families affected.
• Some people with disabilities will lose their home without the help with the process of paying their bills.

In short, the failure of these Measures  mean the loss of over 10,000 jobs. There is no way to estimate the number of family members  forced into unemployment or to reduce their income. It is real, none the less. I know, because I am one.

These numbers are only for those who receive a waiver called a Title 19 waiver. For those receiving what is called comprehensive service (meaning they live away from their families and receive assistance 24/7 if needed)  will experience a 40% cut in the money used to pay for their supports and housing.  This group of adults with disabilities recently experienced a 2% reduction in funds to help balance the current budget.

Although the impact of this loss of funds is not clearly defined, it doesn’t take much to imagine what will happen: higher staffing ratios which increases the risk of abuse and neglect. With reduced funds, the money to pay for transportation will reduce or disappear. The result? Institutions. It is not a home if you can’t leave.

Oregon is proud to say we have closed out institutions for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (people with Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, and so on). Oregon is also the first state in the nation to make the claim that we no longer hold beds in intermediate care facilities (ICF nursing facilities) for young people with disabilities.

Today, people with disabilities who qualify for Medicaid waivers and brokerage services are enrolled within 90 days. If the measures fail, Oregon will continue not to have a waiting list, because there will be nothing to wait for.

These are great accomplishments toward a better life for people with disabilities. They have proven, time and time again, to cost less and provide a better quality of life than institutionalization. Children with disabilities grow up in their family homes, go to their neighborhood schools, look for gainful employment, and live in communities.

With every vote, it is important to consider the costs. That means considering both the cost directly from the pocket book AND to the community.

For me, a native Oregonian, the question is this:

Are these costs to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities – people who have very few financial options - something we will be proud to claim?

Not me.

I am voting YES for Measures 66 & 67.  Won’t you?

Warmly,

Joan Guthrie Medlen, RD, LD
Proud mother of Andy, who has many disability labels, and turns 21 next month.

This blog entry is an opinion, and may not reflect the opinions of Disability Compass, Community Vision, it's Board, or it's employees.