On April 3rd, Rep. Mark Born (R- Beaver Dam) made a budget motion request to the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) to remove provisions from the state budget that would eliminate the IRIS program and significantly change the FamilyCare program and Wisconsin’s Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC’s). For more information on the budget’s proposed changes to these important programs, check out our blog post and the FamilyCare issue area on this site.
The changes to FamilyCare, IRIS, and the ADRCs in Governor Walker’s budget are concerning both because they will affect thousands of Wisconsinites and because they were included in the budget proposal without knowledge or input from disability rights advocates, legislators, current program coordinators, or people currently served by the programs. Rep. Born’s concerns echoed those of his constituents and residents across the state who depend on these current long-term care programs to provide quality and cost-effective care for their families. Furthermore, the budget does not propose a clear plan or funding source for the proposed changes to Family Care and ADRCs. Advocates for people with disabilities and seniors claim the proposed changes need further research by DHS and stakeholders before they go into effect and change the established long-term care plans of Wisconsinites. Rep. Born’s proposal is supported by multiple disability rights advocacy groups, including Disability Rights Wisconsin, the Survival Coalition of Wisconsin Disability Organizations, and the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities.
At this time, it is unclear whether the JFC will pass Rep. Born’s motion, pass more modest changes to the Governor’s long-term care proposals, or adopt the Governor’s proposals in whole. Please stay tuned to our blog for more updates as the Joint Finance Committee continues to debate and vote on the Governor’s proposed budget.
The changes to FamilyCare, IRIS, and the ADRCs in Governor Walker’s budget are concerning both because they will affect thousands of Wisconsinites and because they were included in the budget proposal without knowledge or input from disability rights advocates, legislators, current program coordinators, or people currently served by the programs. Rep. Born’s concerns echoed those of his constituents and residents across the state who depend on these current long-term care programs to provide quality and cost-effective care for their families. Furthermore, the budget does not propose a clear plan or funding source for the proposed changes to Family Care and ADRCs. Advocates for people with disabilities and seniors claim the proposed changes need further research by DHS and stakeholders before they go into effect and change the established long-term care plans of Wisconsinites. Rep. Born’s proposal is supported by multiple disability rights advocacy groups, including Disability Rights Wisconsin, the Survival Coalition of Wisconsin Disability Organizations, and the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities.
At this time, it is unclear whether the JFC will pass Rep. Born’s motion, pass more modest changes to the Governor’s long-term care proposals, or adopt the Governor’s proposals in whole. Please stay tuned to our blog for more updates as the Joint Finance Committee continues to debate and vote on the Governor’s proposed budget.
RSS Feed
