Advocating for Medicaid Funding: A Meeting with Congressman Joe Morelle

Advocating for Medicaid: A Meeting with Congressman Joe Morelle

Today, members of the Developmental Disabilities Alliance of Western New York (DDAWNY) had the valuable opportunity to meet with Congressman Joe Morelle (D) to discuss important issues affecting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), particularly when it comes to Medicaid funding. The focus of our conversation was to raise awareness about the vital role Medicaid plays in supporting people with IDD and the importance of preserving this crucial funding at the federal level.

In New York State, Medicaid is funded jointly by both the state and federal governments. The federal government covers 50% of the funding, while New York State provides the remaining 50%. For individuals with IDD, Medicaid is a lifeline, ensuring access to essential services that are necessary for everyday life—ranging from healthcare and support services to community integration and independence.

The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) oversees a robust system of supports for individuals with developmental disabilities in New York State, serving over 130,000 individuals. Medicaid covers approximately 95% of these services, drawing on contributions from both the federal and state governments.

In 2022, the distribution of individuals receiving OPWDD Medicaid services was as follows:

Ages 0 to 20: 43,638 individuals (34% of the total)
Ages 21 to 64: 77,535 individuals (61% of the total)
Ages 65 and above: 9,140 individuals (7% of the total)

In total, 126,925 individuals received Medicaid-funded services through OPWDD in 2022. These numbers demonstrate the significant role Medicaid plays in supporting individuals with developmental disabilities throughout New York State.

During our meeting with Congressman Morelle, we discussed the potential impacts of proposed Medicaid cuts and emphasized the critical need to protect this funding. As challenges continue at the federal level, it is more important than ever to advocate for stable Medicaid funding and to educate our elected officials about how essential these services are for people with disabilities.

By coming together with elected representatives like Congressman Morelle, we can amplify our collective voice and ensure that people with IDD continue to receive the support they need and deserve. DDAWNY is dedicated to this work and will continue to advocate for the protection and expansion of Medicaid services for the individuals we serve.

We are committed to making sure that people with IDD have the resources and support they need to live full and independent lives, and we will not stop advocating until we see the protection of Medicaid funding at the federal level.