Governor cuts day habilitation PCA funding

Governor Patrick on Friday, Nov. 13, made the decision to cut $100 million from the MassHealth (Medicaid) budget, and, in effect, he ended up cutting more than $25 million from day habilitation services for individuals with disabilities. He also eliminated some personal care aides for individuals with disabilities needing less than 14 hours of assistance per week.

The Providers' Council sent this letter to Governor Patrick about these cuts, which again further slash already decimated human services budgets. In the letter, Michael Weekes tells the governor the cuts are unacceptable.

"While we understand that you are charged with balancing the state budget in an unprecedented economic climate, these particular cuts have crossed a line," Weekes writes.

The Governor's move to cut the budget comes just two weeks after the governor pledged to protect individuals with disabilities, when he announced smaller than expected budget cuts at the Providers' Council Annual Convention & Expo on Oct. 29th. But his move on Friday means clients will see a severe reduction in day habilitation hours.

The Providers' Council will be working with the People First! campaign to discuss what further actions to take arround this announcement.