Disability Medicaid Services
- Justin Borses
- Mar 4, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: May 5, 2022
NORTHRIDGE, CA- In March of 2021 the American Rescue Plan finally went into effect nationwide. Despite the infusion of funds Medicaid relief for people with disabilities is still lagging. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid are currently understaffed and behind on cases.
Matthew Southern lives with multiple disabilities. Due to the Medicaid program, he is able to live as a free member of society. The government is struggling recently which means families like the Southerns are becoming increasingly concerned.
Covid-19 is creating a worker shortage across the nation. Agencies are trying to figure out how to return to normal or redefine it. Like many more families Matthew’s dad Dan had to step up and assist.
Photo Credit, The Hill
Living in Georgia and working a minimum wage job makes Dan a part of 19 other states yet to receive compensation. The bill was signed nine months ago with states having their own red tape issues. Daniel Tsai is the Director for the Medicare and Medicaid Center.
He says, “that this infusion of federal aid was a life-changing amount of funding and that CMS staffers were doing everything they could alongside states to move forward as quickly as possible."
The approval only allows access to some of the money. Certain states like Kansas and Wyoming are hesitant to go ahead without full approval from the agency.
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The American Network of Community Options and Resources serves as an advocacy group. Their 2021 survey noted that more than three-quarters of providers were denying new clientele. More than half were also shutting down programs or services.
Several national disability groups are asking the government to extend the spending deadline through 2024. Fears continue to worry families as disruptions continue.
Audio: Medicaid Services Continue to Stuggle in the Wake of the Covid-19 Pandemic
By, Justin Borses
Contributions, NPR
Photo, The Hill
Audio, Justin Borses
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