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Dear Kenny & co readers,

035massachusettsstatehouseonducktour.jpgIt has come to our attention that the Massachusetts State Budget cuts, in its present form has the potential to “significantly reduce or eliminate service for nearly one third of the 33,000 people being served by the Department of Mental Retardation/Department of Developmental Services (DMR/DDS)”.

Services at risk include Family Support, Residential, Employment Supports and Respite care.

PLEASE contact Governor Deval Patrick, Secretary JudyAnn Bigby and your State Legislators and ask them to PROTECT the most vulnerable citizens in the Commonwealth.

Please ask them to use a portion of the Enhanced Medicaid Stimulus dollars to support the Following Disability Budget Restorations. These Restorations represent President Barack Obama’s recommended use for Enhanced Medicaid Stimulus dollars

Line Item 5911-2000 Community Programs which has been cut by $45 million.  If this cut takes effect 11,000 Commonwealth citizens with disabilities will lose essential services that keep them from being placed in more costly state institutions.  Services that are jeopardized include Family Support, Respite, Day and Employment Services, and services for students leaving special education programs turning 22.

Line Item 5920-2000 Residential Programs. This line item has been cut by over $8 million jeopardizing community residential programs at the same time that the Commonwealth is trying to close state institutions and move people into the community.  Failure to fund this line item also makes it very difficult to comply with last year’s enactment of Rate Reform.

Line Item 4120-3000 Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. The House One budget eliminates the Extended Employment Program for People with Severe Disabilities.  This will cause hundreds of people with multiple disabilities to lose their jobs. 

Line Item 1599-6901 Salary Reserve. The House One budget fails to provide a salary increase for direct support workers earning low wages. The absence of this $23 million line item hurts the lowest paid workers in our state, predominately hurting working women.

Their contact information is:

  • Governor Deval Patrick
    Office of the Governor
    State House
    Room 360
    Boston, MA  02133
    Phone: 888-870-7770

  • Secretary JudyAnn Bigby, MD
    Executive Office of Health and Human Services
    One Ashburton Way
    Room 1109
    Boston, MA  02018
    Phone: 617-573-1600

Without these restorations, 11,000 people with disabilities will lose services and over 1100 direct support professionals will lose their jobs.

Kenny & co give FIVE STARS to Governor Deval Patrick, Secretary JudyAnn Bigby and our Legislators in anticipation of their support!

And to all our readers, we thank you for your help on behalf of Massachusetts citizens with disabilities and the people who provide them with supports and services.

Sincerely,

Kenny & co