Comment on CMS-2026-2047-0001
Corinne BrownOpposeIndividual
Summary: An individual with autism and other disabilities expresses opposition to proposed Medicaid cuts and the imposition of work requirements. The commenter argues that these actions threaten the essential support services, such as job coaching, that they rely on to maintain employment and independence.
My disability story: As an individual on the autism spectrum, along with diagnoses of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and ADD, I have firsthand experience navigating the challenges associated with accessing necessary support services. These services, particularly job coaching and attendant care, are integral to my ability to maintain employment and lead a fulfilling life. They are paid by Medicaid. My journey with disabilities began in 1993 when I was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. Over the years, I have encountered numerous obstacles, from battling with rural county authorities who refused to acknowledge my disabilities to facing bureaucratic hurdles in securing the support I need. Despite presenting ample evidence of my conditions, including a diagnosis from the Child Development and Rehabilitation Center (CDRC), I am still having to fight it out-only this time, with the threats of Medicaid cuts. Most recently, I understood that Medicaid was adding/enforcing work requirements. Here’s the thing: I need supports in order to work full time, and I don’t qualify for SSI or SSDI. So, it really boils down to this: Do you want me to succeed and be a full time worker, or not? I don’t want to be homeless, in a Catch 22, in a group home, etc. In order for me to work, I need a job coach, which Medicaid pays for. Without a job coach, my career was and would be a flop. It is unacceptable that individuals with disabilities like myself are subjected to bureaucratic inefficiencies and arbitrary decisions that undermine our ability to thrive, such as the threats to Medicaid to our services paid under Medicaid. Access to essential services should not be treated as optional but rather as a fundamental right. Furthermore, I urge you to prioritize the needs of individuals with disabilities in legislative decision-making processes. Investing in support services and promoting awareness of neurodiversity in the workplace are crucial steps towards creating an inclusive society where all members can contribute meaningfully.