On Monday, February 10th, disability-rights advocates and personal health care workers including representatives from CWI, gathered in Albany to make their case against impending cuts to the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPA), which has been identified as a major driver of New York’s Medicaid spending growth. The DOH and Governor Cuomo purport that Consumer Direction is the reason for Medicaid overage spending–this is not true! In fact, Consumer Direction saves NYS money and allows people to remain in their homes. The Governor wants to fix Medicaid spending in just two months with the Medicaid Redesign Team II and have the legislature approve this as part of the 2020-21 budget. Not only is this an unrealistic time frame for such a large undertaking but if passed, cuts to reimbursement to unrealistically low rates will force the majority of Fiscal Intermediaries such as CWI to close down as a provider of this service leaving consumers stranded. CWI participated in the rally to show support for the CDPA program and make sure it survives to continue to provide services. If you would like to help, please contact the Governor’s office and your local government representatives to oppose this legislation. Pictured are some of the speakers from the rally including Assemblyman David Carlucci; Assemblyman Phil Stec-Lindsay Miller-NYAIL; and Assemblywomen Aileen Gunther.