(Above) State Representative Will Guzzardi, who represents the 39th District northwest of the Loop, speaks at a rally outside Thompson Center, where many state government offices are located. Also speaking at the rally was State Representative Theresa Mah, representing the 2nd District southwest of the Loop. Photo obtained from Access Living.
Disability rights advocates rally in Loop against proposed Medicaid cutsJune 11, 2017 – Thousands of people with disabilities will lose access to specialized healthcare if Medicaid benefits are cut, says an advocacy group based in River North, inspiring members of about 30 such organizations to protest outside James R. Thompson Center last week.
Access Living says the proposed American Health Care Act, now being considered by the United States Senate, will hurt people with disabilities. Proposed Medicaid cuts, as much as $24 billion in Illinois alone, says the group, could affect the state’s 500,000 disabled citizens who rely on federal funding for services such as nursing, therapy, and personal care.
“Under the American Health Care Act, ‘per capita caps’ will devastate Medicaid-funded services that people with disabilities need to live, work, and participate in their communities,” said Access Living.
On the June 6 Don’t Cap Our Care Day of Action, similar rallies were held in Washington, D.C., and other cities.
