[NFBMT] From Disability Rights Montana Regarding Budget Cuts

[Bruce&Joy Breslauer]

This is more information on why opposing these budget cuts is so, so
important.


 


Tax Bill May Threaten Disability Services


by Michelle Diament | November 28, 2017



Advocates are worried that a tax overhaul plan under consideration in the
U.S. Senate would lead to reduced federal spending on disability services.
(Thinkstock)

 

A Republican proposal to overhaul the tax code could endanger everything from
employment services to health care for people with disabilities, advocates
say.

 

More than a dozen disability advocacy groups are working furiously to block
the U.S. Senate from passing a bill that may bring up to $1.5 trillion in tax
cuts, warning that slashing such a huge chunk of federal revenue would spell
trouble for programs that Americans with disabilities rely on.

 

"It is a significant threat to people with disabilities and would likely have
a lasting impact on funding for critical services on which people with
disabilities rely, including Medicaid," said Alison Barkoff, director of
advocacy for the Center for Public Representation.

Barkoff's group and others including the American Association of People with
Disabilities, the National Disability Rights Network and the National Council
on Independent Living are pushing their members to contact senators during a
national call-in day <https://www.facebook.com/events/134373263949405/>  on
Wednesday.

The Senate could vote as soon as this week on the tax bill, a version of
which was already approved by the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this
month.

 

Under existing budget rules, legislation that adds to the national debt must
be offset. Accordingly, advocates say the proposed tax bill could lead to
automatic cuts to federal programs like vocational rehabilitation and housing
assistance.

"The proposed tax cuts will create enormous pressure on the federal budget,"
said Julia Bascom, executive director of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network,
which is involved in the national call-in day. "Both the administration and
congressional leadership have made clear that they plan to alleviate that
pressure by slashing Medicaid, including (home and community-based) waiver
services, and other basic programs that allow people with disabilities to
live good lives in our community."

 

In addition, advocates say they are worried that the House version of the
legislation would eliminate a tax deduction for those with high medical
expenses and it would do away with tax incentives aimed at encouraging
businesses to hire people with disabilities or make their facilities
accessible.

 

Meanwhile, the Senate bill would end the Affordable Care Act's requirement
that all Americans have health insurance, a move that advocates say would
destabilize the market, increase premiums and threaten protections for people
with pre-existing conditions.

 

"This fight is, in some ways, even more important than the fights to save the
Affordable Care Act because these bills could lead to the collapse of the ACA
and devastating cuts and changes to entitlement programs and discretionary
programs that support people with disabilities," said Kim Musheno, vice
president of public policy for the Autism Society.

 

Joy Breslauer, President

National Federation of the Blind of Montana 

Web Site: http://www.nfbofmt.org <http://www.nfbofmt.org/> 

 

Live the life you want

 

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends
who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work
together to help blind people live the lives they want

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