Medicaid cuts may affect Maryland disability support programs

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) — July is Disability Pride month, celebrating the Americans with Disabilities Act being signed into law in 1990 by then-President George H.W. Bush.

The landmark law was authored by then-U.S. Representative Tony Coelho (D-CA), a leading national disabilities rights advocate.

In Maryland, nonprofits helping those with physical and intellectual disabilities are worried about their future.

Here in western Maryland, a nonprofit for the past 70 years, ARC of Washington County, has been empowering the lives of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They hope to continue their mission.

“Relationships are a pivotal point to making someone happy and having a meaningful life,” says Alli Lanham, development director for the nonprofit.

ARC’s executive director here, Troy Van Scoyoc, worries about the impact of proposed federal Medicaid cuts, on which more than a quarter-million Marylanders with a disability rely.

“We’re supporting some of the most vulnerable citizens of the State of Maryland,” says Van Scoyoc, “so it’s important that we continue to fund these organizations.”

Ande Kolp oversees disability programs for the entire State of Maryland and shares Van Scoyoc’s concern about the future of disability support programs.

“It is going to destabilize our already fragile system of support in Maryland for people of intellectual and developmental disabilities,” says Kolp.

Maryland U.S. Rep. April McClain Delaney visited the Hagerstown nonprofit this afternoon to assure her support for its work.

“It’s really important we support our kids,” McClain Delaney said. “The disabled, the elderly, and that the resources to do so are channeled into rural communities.”