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Corbett thanked by disability group while angry disability rights activists to protest outside
Vision for Equality to thank governor while disability rights group ADAPT protests widespread program cuts outside.
Corbett thanked by disability group while angry disability rights activists to protest outside
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Vision for Equality, which provides services and advocates for people with intellectual disabilities, is this morning set to thank Republican Governor Tom Corbett and Department of Public Welfare Secretary Gary Alexander "for their efforts to increase funding to programs that help individuals with intellectual disabilities," according to a press release from the governor's office.
Disability rights activists with the organization ADAPT, known for performing civil disobedience in wheelchairs, will be protesting the governor's large-scale cuts to programs for people with disabilities outside the event (10:45am, 718 Arch Street, Philadelphia).
"We're pretty upset," says ADAPT organizer Nancy Salandra, who first heard about the event yesterday afternoon. Among other things, Corbett has eliminated cash assistance for people with disabilities and kicked tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians off Medicaid. "Because what he's done to people with disabilities is outrageous."
"We're going to be talking about some positive things with Vision for Equality. Those topics aren't on the agenda," says DPW spokesperson Anne Bale when asked about the funding cuts. Corbett's 2012-13 budget, she says, provides additional funding for the thousands-long waiting list for people with intellectual disabilities who need funding for community-based services."They have a right to protest, and we respect that. But today's going to be a positive event."
No one from Vision for Equality could be reached for comment.
Disability rights and service organizations have spent the last two years protesting Governor Corbett. Last year, the administration quietly kicked about 130,000 Pennsylvanians off Medicaid, prompting a public outcry and federal investigation. Many could be reinstated thanks to a recent legal settlement, but it's unclear whether the payments will be retroactive. Corbett also eliminated the adultBasic insurance program, which covered 40,000 poor Pennsylvanians who weren’t quite poor enough to qualify for Medicaid.
This year, Corbett and legislative Republicans slashed funding to county-administered social services by 10-percent and instituted a block grant program that activists say will pit them against each other in a desperate fight for funding. And he eliminated General Assistance, $205 in monthly cash assistance that overwhelmingly served people with disabilities.
"He hasn't done a damn thing for people with physical disabilities," says Salandra. "People that got cut off of General Assistance, $205-a-month. People are getting evicted from their apartment, can't pay for drugs. It's crazy. So I'm shocked at what Vision for Equality is doing."
Indeed, disability rights groups across the state are currently suing Corbett to block the elimination of General Assistance and the county block grants, including: Disability Rights Network of PA, Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers' Association, the Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania, the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, The Philadelphia Alliance, the Drug and Alcohol Service Providers Organization of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Community Providers Association.
Now, Corbett is flirting with the idea of refusing a large-scale Medicaid expansion, largely paid for by the federal government, under the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare). That could deny care to up to 682,880 currently ineligible poor Pennsylvanians,
"He's going to destroy people on Medicaid, which includes people with intellectual disabilities...So we don't know what's going on," says Salandra. "He doesn't come to Philadelphia much because most people hate him here. He should just be prepared."
One, it's Vision for EQuality, according to their own website. Second, who are the board members for their organization? That might explain why they're doing the equivalent of green-washing Corbett.— Phil Perspective
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