The Trump Administration has given states the green light to apply for Medicaid block grants. Allowing states to change their Medicaid funding to block grants is almost certainly illegal, and will mean deep cuts to the Medicaid program in any state that applies. ASAN condemns this decision in the strongest possible terms.
The block grants endorsed by the Trump Administration specifically target the Medicaid expansion, which has been critical to expanding access to health care for people with disabilities. In addition to cutting funds, states will be allowed to cut important protections–for example, states will no longer be required to cover all FDA-approved medications. These cuts will cause people, especially people with disabilities, to lose health care. Furthermore, if this proposal is implemented, it will lay the groundwork for future cuts to eliminate vital services that people with disabilities rely on to live in the community.
As ASAN has repeatedly said, block grants would have a devastating impact on the lives of people with disabilities. The Trump Administration should reverse this policy immediately, before it is too late.
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization run by and for autistic people. ASAN was created to serve as a national grassroots disability rights organization for the autistic community run by and for autistic Americans, advocating for systems change and ensuring that the voices of autistic people are heard in policy debates and the halls of power. Our staff work to educate communities, support self-advocacy in all its forms, and improve public perceptions of autism. ASAN’s members and supporters include autistic adults and youth, cross-disability advocates, and non-autistic family members, professionals, educators, and friends.