It was an emotional morning as the Keatons from West Virginia, the O’Briens from Georgia, the Rodriguezes from Texas, and the Brandts from Virginia shared their personal stories with Phil Schiliro, Assistant to the President and Special Advisor, John Carson, Deputy Assistant to the President, Jeff Crowley, Senior Advisor on Disability Policy, and Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to the President. What an important opportunity for The Arc to touch the hearts and minds of some of the most powerful people in government yesterday, and to show the faces of Medicaid, a program that is a critical lifeline for families with loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The Arc appreciates the support the Administration has shown for Medicaid and other programs vital to people with IDD and urges the Administration to continue to champion these programs during the deficit negotiations.

The concern that Medicaid – which millions of people with IDD rely on for health care and assistance with living in the community – is on the chopping block led us to create the “Don’t Cut Our Lifeline” campaign. In April, the House of Representatives passed a budget that would have disastrous consequences for members of The Arc, and we’ve been asking you to take action and contact your legislators to let them know how important Medicaid is to you and your family. The House plan included deep cuts to Medicaid, changed it into a block grant, and seriously harmed other vital programs. The Arc believes that the budget should not be balanced on the backs of low income people and those with disabilities, and Congress must consider raising revenue and ensuring that wealthy Americans and corporations pay their fair share.

The Arc appreciated the opportunity to meet with these high-level Obama Administration officials and for these families to share their story about how Medicaid has been critical to their daughter or son with IDD and their entire family. Listening closely to the families’ presentations, the officials thanked them for providing real life examples of the enormous challenges they face on a daily basis, underscoring the importance of the critical public policy decisions that are being debated in our nation’s capitol. The tension in the voices of family members made clear that the budget debate isn’t about numbers, it is about people’s lives.

Without Medicaid, the lives of the Keatons from West Virginia, the O’Briens from Georgia, the Rodriguezes from Texas, and the Brandts from Virginia would be dramatically different. Some of these parents would have to quit their jobs, some would be forced to choose between keeping their loved one at home or moving them into an institution. Some would be forced into bankruptcy and potentially lose their home simply to provide for the health needs of their loved one. This is unacceptable to The Arc, and the White House staff we met with were visibly moved by each of these families.

We know there are millions more families like the Keatons, O’Briens, Rodriquezes, and Brandts across the country. There is still time to make your voices heard too – join our “Don’t Cut Our Lifeline” campaign!

About the Keatons of Milton, West Virginia

Amanda and Greg Keaton are parents of 18-month-old Graysen, who has DiGeorge Syndrome. DiGeorge syndrome is a disorder caused by a defect in chromosome 22, resulting in the poor development of several body systems. Graysen’s main medical conditions include two severe congenital heart defects – Tetralogy of Fallot and Pulmonary Atresia. In addition, Graysen has required a tracheostomy and ventilator support since 8 weeks old. Graysen spent his first six and a half months in the hospital, and his one year anniversary at home was June 21, 2011. In his young life, Graysen has suffered two strokes, undergone three open heart surgeries, a feeding tube placement, multiple heart catheterizations, and he hit the $1 million cap on his mother’s health insurance before he turned four months old. Graysen’s nursing care, specialized pediatric tube feedings, along with other important therapies and preventive medications and vaccines are covered by Medicaid through West Virginia’s Children with Disabilities Community Services Program.

About the O’Briens of Waycross, Georgia

Deirdre O’Brien has two children, including her 13-year-old daughter, Clare, who has significant intellectual disabilities. Clare also suffers from abdominal migraines, which are similar to traditional migraines but the pain is in the stomach and causes her to vomit continuously for days. Two years ago, Clare’s migraines became very severe, occurring nearly every two weeks. Her hemoglobin dropped severely, she missed a significant amount of school and her parents missed work to take care of her. During this period, the O’Brien family saw no alternative but for Deirdre to quit her job and stay at home in case her daughter became ill. The state of Georgia recognized Clare’s needs and she was granted a small Medicaid home and community based waiver, which allowed Deirdre to hire staff to help care for her daughter.

About the Rodriguezes of Tomball, Texas

Natalie and Ruben are parents of 31-year-old TJ, who was born with significant intellectual and developmental disabilities. TJ needs assistance with everyday activities like bathing, brushing his teeth, getting dressed in the morning, communicating effectively, walking, and preparing his meals. As he has gotten older, TJ’s mobility challenges have greatly increased along with his medical needs. Medicaid covers TJ’s neurologist, endocrinologist, rehabilitation specialist, occasional home care, speech therapist, orthopedic specialist, primary care, and his prescriptions. In addition, through TJ’s Medicaid Home and Community Services slot, which took nine years to receive, his parents have been able to make modifications to their home that allow TJ to live with them, like ramps and bathroom modifications.

About the Brandts of Springfield, Virginia

Carrin and Mitchell Brandt are parents of 10-year-old Bailey, who has an intractable (uncontrolled) seizure disorder, cerebral palsy, a history of aspiration and significant global delays. Bailey needs assistance and support with all daily living and recreational activities, and Medicaid helps pay for it. She has a shunt, a G-tube, and uses a communication device. Bailey has had more than five seizures daily, and Medicaid paid for her brain surgery to remove her left hemisphere for better seizure control. Medicaid has paid for over fifteen seizure medications, one of which was over $1,000 for a one week supply. She has had orthopedic issues, including a hip displacement and a leg length discrepancy. When Bailey grows older, she will need Medicaid for long-term support needs, such as residential and day support.