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Marie Gaines
Age: 53
From: Phillipsburg, Phillip County
Impact of Budget Cuts: Moved off HCBS/PD Waiver Waiting List
LOC Score: 26
Senator: Janis Lee (36th)
Representative: John Faber (120th)
Marie says, "We just barely make it now, and then they cut it; we will be on the street or starving." Marie has Diabetes, Degenerative joints, Fibromyalgia, and uses a scooter. Marie was on the waiting list, with a score of 26, but was taken off the list because of the budget cuts. Marie wanted minimal supports for the daily household chores that are hard for her to do because of stamina problems with her disability. Before she acquired her disability 10 years ago, Marie was a cook at a university. She enjoyed her job, and enjoyed cooking. Now she has to eat quick foods, because she cannot stand long enough to cook meals.
Also, before Marie got her scooter, she was totally dependent. Now she just wants to stay independent, but desperately needs help around the house to stay in her home. Currently she has a sister Jennifer who helps when she can, but that takes away from her sister's life. Marie does as much as she can for herself, and is just asking for a little bit of support to help her manage her life.
Jo Dee Dunn
From: Great Bend, Barton County
Impact of Budget Cuts: Lowered Protected Income Level
LOC Score: 38
Senator: Ruth Teichman (33rd)
Representative: John Edmonds (112th)
My name is Jo Dee Dunn and I have a disability that keeps me from the work force. Until this year, I have relied on Medicaid for my medical expenses such as Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), which provides me with in-home services.
I have now been informed that I will need to pay the difference between what HCBS can pay and the top end of my benefits. This amount is only $16.60, but that amount can go a long way when buying food. I also have the right to incur a monthly spend-down with out-of-pocket expenses so in doing that I hope I'll be able to defer these expenses.
My concern is that I can't always incur the spend-down and that being the case, the $16.60 will come out of my pocket and therefore out of my grocery budget. I only make $661.00 a month and with the cost of living in today's world, I barely make ends meet. I feel that this new policy will make it harder for myself and other disabled people to live.
I would ask that you reconsider this policy, and arrive at a different conclusion. We, the disabled, have enough to cope with and pay for without this added expense.
I'd like to thank you for listening, and hope that you take this under serious consideration.
Shirley/Vernon Kestor l Contents l Janice Blalack
Statewide Independent Living Council of
Kansas
www.silck.org
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