News for the Disabled

Florida’s State Budget Cutbacks Threaten the Disabled and Ill

Posted on Nov 21, 2008

Nearly every American is feeling the pinch of tough economic times. Sadly, the elderly and disabled may be the first to feel the effects of drastic state budget cutbacks. Already, reductions in state funding have forced the disabled to leave their care centers and choose between the services they receive.

In Florida, new lawmakers are coming into office at a very difficult time. Experts believe that this year the state budget will fall short by about $2 billion. Lawmakers need to make severe cutbacks; unfortunately, services for the disabled are on the top of this list.

The last round of budget cuts threatened Florida’s ill and disabled population. Senate leaders had proposed taking $170 million from the Medically Needy Program; a program that serves 20,000 of Florida’s most critically ill. In addition, the Senate proposed a $355 million cut to a Medicaid program that serves 24,000 disabled and elderly citizens.

Fortunately, this disaster was avoided by using money from a state endowment fund. However, like the savings of so many Americans, the fund has lost huge amounts of money due to the sharp downward turn of the stock market. The troubles in the stock market have caused The Lawton Chilies Endowment Fund to lose over $500 million. This means that there will be no easy bailout for the struggling Florida budget.

As the Florida Legislature grapples with a widening state deficit, current budget cuts are already negatively affecting the disabled. Often, people with disabilities are forced into nursing homes and care centers when they would much prefer home or community based care.

The national economic crisis is mirrored in Florida, as they too struggle with how to cope with tough financial times. No doubt, Florida lawmakers must make some tough choices as they are sworn into office. One can only hope that the disabled residents of Florida do not suffer due to future budget cutbacks.