The 2015-2017 Wisconsin Budget Proposal by Governor Walker contains many proposed changes to services provided by the State of Wisconsin. An important proposal in the draft is based on the changes to Medicaid programs. According to Disability Rights Wisconsin’s (DRW) article “Governor Walker 2015-2017 Budget Proposal Summary Provisions Impacting People with Disabilities – 2/16/2015”, they highlight that programs such as Family Care, IRIS, and BadgerCare will have significant changes. In the proposal, Family Care would be expanded statewide, and all counties would be required to participate in Family Care by January 1, 2017. If and when Family Care is expanded statewide, the State will eliminate all other long-term care programs and waivers, such as IRIS and other waiver programs. According to the DRW article, “Family Care will now incorporate acute and primary health care services, in addition to community-based long-term supports.” In result to the change of management to Managed Care Organizations (MCO’s), certain functions of Aging and Disabilities Resource Centers (ADRC’s) may be operated by for-profit entities. In DRW’s article, they also note a projected cut of $19 million to the personal care program. This program may also require an independent assessment, “for all fee-for-service personal care to ensure that the right amount of care is being provided” (DRW).
In terms of education, there will be no increase in funding for special education categorical aids, and a $150 cut per pupil (DRW). For employment, individuals with disabilities may have to go through drug testing for those applying for employment services through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). The budget also addresses transportation. There is no increase in transit funding from the previous budget. However, it is proposed to create four new shared ride taxi systems.
Please note that all information in this blog was extracted from Disability Rights Wisconsin’s article, “Governor Walker 2015-2017 Budget Proposal Summary Provisions Impacting People with Disabilities – 2/16/2015.” The article can be found by clicking the link below.
