2/10/25 - Trump Stuff: Medicaid; plus a new disability film
Starting today, I'm adding a new section to this weekday newsletter. Below the shared links you'll find a listing of "Action Alerts" on disability issues. Most of them will probably be about U.S. disability issues, though I would love to share similar alerts from other countries too. I will try to keep the Action Alert liss up to date and fairly short. I don't promise to include every issue – just the ones that seem most urgent and current at any given time. I hope you find this new feature helpful.
Now for today's shared links ...
Trump’s War on Medicaid Will Institutionalize Millions of People
Julia Métraux, Mother Jones - January 31, 2025
"Today, roughly 4.5 million people use Medicaid-funded HCBS as an alternative to institutionalization; the waivers help pay for home healthcare workers, durable medical equipment, career coaching, case management and other services. No one claims that the program is perfect—but most criticism has come on the basis of shortfalls, not overspending. More than half a million disabled people remain on waitlists for HCBS, often waiting years for a waiver, and inconsistent requirements across states can make the process confusing and challenging."
It's always been a struggle for disabled Americans to first understand ourselves, and then explain to others what Medicaid means to us. The same goes for one of the most important package of services Medicaid funds – Home and Community-Based Services, (HCBS). This piece explains the specific threat to disabled Americans posed by the sorts of cuts and changes to Medicaid that the Trump administration is likely to push for. If they do turn their attention to Medicaid in anything like the ways conservative think tanks have been planning for years, we're going to need more explainers like this, and personal stories about what Medicaid and all forms of home care mean to us. (See below).
Medicaid is Under Attack! Tell Your Elected Officials “Hands Off Our Medicaid!”
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund - February 5, 2025
"Contact your members of Congress. Use the script below or this script to talk to Congressional offices on the phone. To send a letter automatically to all of your representatives at once, use this letter-sending tool. Add some personal information into the message text if you would like. Tell your elected officials 'Hands Off Our Medicaid!'"
There are several U.S. disability organizations behind this Action Alert about Medicaid. I chose the DREDF one because of how thoroughly and simply it explains Medicaid itself. It even describes how to know if you are on Medicaid or get any Medicaid services. This is more valuable than it might seem. One of the problems with Medicaid and its disability-related services is that it actually is confusing. Plenty of disabled people know they like the services they have, and/or need more, but are truly unclear about how those services are paid for. Confused worry and misdirected anger are real dangers at times like this. That's why I appreciate Action Alerts that do more than give us more than just a script.
Dating, Disability and Body Acceptance with Good Bad Things star Danny Kurtzman
Esme Mazzeo, New Mobility - February 6, 2025
"Good Bad Things is a raw, unapologetic look at disability that’s rarely portrayed in Hollywood. New Mobility talked with Kurtzman about his acting debut, how his personal experiences informed the film, and the importance of depicting a disabled life full of possibility on-screen."
This interview touched on disabled body self-image – which is something I continue to struggle with myself. So after reading this interview, I am highly motivated to see Good Bad Things. I happen to have an AppleTV+ subscription at the moment, too, so it's easily accessible to me.
Action Alerts
A running list of opportunities to take action on disability issues ...
Disability Thinking Weekday is a Monday-Friday newsletter with links and commentary on disability-related articles and other content. Please like, share, comment, and subscribe — for free, or with a paid subscription. A free subscription brings a newsletter to your email each weekday, and gives you access to Comments. Benefits of paid subscription include:
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