History

In the wee hours of the morning, the Senate voted on a final effort by Republicans to repeal the Affordable Care Act. In a dramatic 49-51 vote, the “Skinny Repeal” bill (the final bill in a slew of health care bills aiming to reform health care services and benefits) was defeated. In the past few weeks, the efforts of The Arc Pikes Peak Region community did not go unnoticed. A deluge of phone calls was made to Senator Cory Gardner and Senator Michael Bennet’s offices, and over 700 post cards were sent to his Colorado and Washington DC offices with messages. Countless texts, faxes, and emails were sent as well. Activists continued advocating at rallies, candlelight vigils, and over social media, helping the voices of the I/DD community be heard loud and clear.

We would like to thank the valiant efforts made by our community and would like to share stories from our “Virtual Rally” yesterday that helped deliver a final message before the Senate’s final vote on a bill that would impact many people’s health care benefits and services.

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Stories from The Arc Pikes Peak Region regarding individuals’ health care

“My brother, Marty, is 55 years old. I am his guardian, and our parents both died within the last six months. It is difficult for me to talk about all of Marty’s disabilities, as typically I focus on what a person can do… But it is the best way I can give an accurate picture of Marty.

Marty has an intellectual disability. For him, this means he reads at a pre-primer level, cannot tell time, and has no concept of a week, a month, etc.  He requires consistent and ongoing reminders to eat, sleep, shower, dress, etc. He is unable to make safe decisions and has inappropriate behaviors that put himself and others at risk. He has no stranger danger, does not understand simple directions, and has trouble expressing himself and processing information.

Marty has cerebral palsy which leaves his right side weak and has balance issues. His seizure activity includes petit mal, grand mal, and drop seizures; he is colonized with MRSA from a knee surgery, has osteopenia, sleep apnea, and is in year four of being cancer free after having his gall bladder removed. Marty has fused vertebrae in his back which affects his ability to straighten out his back, and his ankle bone has recently slipped from its socket, making him walk on the side of his foot; surgery is soon.

Marty has issues with gagging and choking when he eats and drinks. He also has some incontinence issues. He does not sleep through the night. His day attendant takes him to doctor’s appointments and ensures he is safe, healthy and happy during the day. I am with him evenings and weekends.

If his long-term care Medicaid services were to go away, he would lose his attendant support, and his attendant would be unemployed. I would have to quit my job to stay home with him so that he can continue to live in the community rather than in a nursing home. This allows me no respite (taking a break) from caregiving. Losing Medicaid means that I cannot support him or myself, and our quality of life erodes. If I decide to keep my job, Marty would go into a nursing home at a monthly cost almost double to what his care costs in the community.

I am a sibling. I cannot even imagine the affect losing long term care Medicaid services would have on people with disabilities who live on their own and have no family to support them.”

-Marsha Unruh

“I stand against the potential forms of cuts in Medicaid and the caps that would go in place with it. The caps would reduce the amount of time that I could receive services by limiting and affecting my medical care. It also impacts being able to live in an assisted living facility. Without other programs or funding, I would have no alternative choices of where to live. It would affect all the people I represent and serve as a board member of The Arc Pikes Peak Region, many of which would be completely devastated by the cuts being proposed.”

-Arthur Wirth

 

“Medicaid matters, especially for my dental, doctor visits, and physical therapy. Without all of that, I would be weak and not the strong, independent guy you see today. I hope you don’t cut Medicaid because we really need it. Not just for my benefit, but for all the clients that have a disability.”

-Run Cheoupp

“People with disabilities don’t make enough money to pay our health care expenses. We don’t get paid enough, yet are still expected to pay the same cost for our medical services. There needs to be modifications for all insurance to protect people with disabilities.”

-Bill Baxter

“I can’t imagine life with Medicaid being cut. We need it bad. Medicaid helps me be able to access doctors.”

-Roberta Smith

“My name is Lori Thom. I am a registered voter in Colorado Springs who never misses voting in an election. I have a 40 yr old daughter who was just diagnosed with the correct Cohen’s Syndrome a little over a year ago. The specialists she has through her Medicaid saved her life twice last summer and have given her a new happiness and wellness that she has not had for years! Cohen Syndrome adults have a blood disorder called Neutropenia which means she has dangerously low white blood cell count. Medicaid pays for the treatments and doctor she needs to stay well. Please do not cut Medicaid and let her continue her wellness path.”

-Lori Thom

 

“Medicaid assisted me during and after my heart surgery. Without it, I wouldn’t have been able to pay the high out of pocket costs associated with heart surgery after my heart attack. Medicaid has saved my life. Without it, I wouldn’t be here. Without Medicaid, I would have been in a sinking ship. With a fixed income, I wouldn’t have been able to pay the bills.”

-Raymond Smith

 

“The ACA is important to me because I have Medicaid that benefits my doctor and dental appointments, as well as clothing and food! I like to Save MEDICAID because I have a slight cerebral palsy it’s very important for to Save Medicaid!”

-Sherice Bethel