need help

NEED HELP?

Find CCDC programs to help assist in advocating for you or someone you know with a disability.

LEARN MORE
ACTION ALERT

ACTION ALERT

Keep up to date with disability rights activities you care about. Choose a few topics or sign up for all of them!

LEARN MORE
issues

ISSUES

Find the most common issues people with disabilities face and how CCDC can help.

LEARN MORE

News

title-line

Bennet, Gardner Call for Relief for States Grappling with Increased Demand for Medicaid Coverage Due to COVID-19

Washington, D.C. – Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D) and Cory Gardner (R) sent a letter to House and Senate leadership urging an increased federal match for state Medicaid programs as they expand coverage and services due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the resulting budgetary crisis until the economy recovers. In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) the senators emphasized that an increase to Medicaid’s federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) rate for states will be essential as they work to provide health care for millions of Americans who are and will become eligible for Medicaid as unemployment rates rise during the crisis.
“States are grappling with both the increase in demand for Medicaid coverage due to COVID-19 and a budgetary crisis from their COVID-19 response and lost revenue. Based on some current economic forecasts, states will likely face budget shortfalls that exceed $500 billion over the next several years, not including direct COVID-19 costs,” Bennet and Gardner wrote in the letter. 
 
To provide relief for state budgets which have been negatively impacted by the economic downturn, the senators called for an increase to Medicaid’s FMAP, a call that has been echoed by the bipartisan National Governors Association. Increasing the federal government’s share of Medicaid expenditures could provide expeditious relief for states, enabling them to best serve the unique needs of Medicaid beneficiaries and providers.
 
“While federal assistance provided to date is a useful first step, the state of Colorado has indicated it is not sufficient to cover the funding shortfall caused by COVID-19 that could lead to harmful budget cuts for state programs, like Medicaid…we must ensure that there is increased and continuous support in place to ensure that states have the capability to care for Medicaid beneficiaries and adequately reimburse providers as this protracted crisis continues,” they continued. “We strongly support funding mechanisms for states that assist with a glide path back to prosperity until the economy returns to pre-crisis conditions.”
“We request that you consider policies, like the FMAP increase, that would support state budgets as they grapple with the impact and costs of COVID-19,” the senators concluded.
 
“Our state has been working around to the clock to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and we must ensure that hardworking Coloradans in our urban, suburban and rural communities who rely on Medicaid for healthcare are not left behind. This crisis has created unique challenges for our health care system and requires a strong federal partnership with states,” said Governor Jared Polis.
 
The text of the letter is available HERE and below.

Text of the letter sent to the Federal leaders

Dear Leader McConnell, Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader McCarthy:
We request an increase to Medicaid’s federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) rate to support the State of Colorado’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) response and recovery in the next legislative package. As states grapple with the impact of COVID-19, an increase to the FMAP could provide a potentially expeditious avenue to relief for state budgets.
COVID-19 has created both a public health and economic crisis and more needs to be done to address the unique needs of Medicaid beneficiaries and providers. As unemployment rates rise, Medicaid programs will be called upon to enroll millions of additional people in health care coverage who might otherwise be uninsured. Medicaid currently covers many of those at greatest risk from the virus, including many seniors and individuals with disabilities, and this coverage comes with unique challenges. For example, in our home state of Colorado, congregate care facilities for the elderly including nursing homes are responsible for more than forty percent of Colorado COVID-19 deaths. Colorado’s Medicaid program is working to increase rates for those providers to have the capacity for precautionary measures to protect the health of their residents. COVID-19 also causes challenges to the safe provision of home and community-based services, which are critical for many Medicaid beneficiaries.
States are grappling with both the increase in demand for Medicaid coverage due to COVID-19 and a budgetary crisis from their COVID-19 response and lost revenue. Based on some current economic forecasts, states will likely face budget shortfalls that exceed $500 billion over the next several years, not including direct COVID-19 costs. To address those threats to critical services and protect jobs, we continue to support robust funding to ensure further flexible fiscal relief for states and local governments in the next legislative response.
While federal assistance provided to date is a useful first step, the state of Colorado has indicated it is not sufficient to cover the funding shortfall caused by COVID-19 that could lead to harmful budget cuts for state programs, like Medicaid. The Congressional Budget Office and other forecasters now project high unemployment rates lasting at least through 2021, and we must ensure that there is increased and continuous support in place to ensure that states have the capability to care for Medicaid beneficiaries and adequately reimburse providers as this protracted crisis continues.
We strongly support funding mechanisms for states that assist with a glide path back to prosperity until the economy returns to pre-crisis conditions. The bipartisan National Governors Association (NGA) has called for a nationwide 12 percent FMAP increase, plus an additional increase with modifications for high-unemployment states; NGA has also requested that federal relief remain continuous until national unemployment rates show strong signs of recovery. We request inclusion of similar policies to support Medicaid beneficiaries and providers and any other policies to support our most vulnerable.
We request that you consider policies, like the FMAP increase, that would support state budgets as they grapple with the impact and costs of COVID-19.
Thank you for considering our views.
Sincerely,
Michael F. Bennet
United States Senator
Cory Gardner
United States Senator
CC: Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin

A Stroke of Luck –By Julie Reiskin

As a frequent traveler who uses a power wheelchair I have a different perspective of luck…

On Monday  I was in Grand Junction for work with our amazing Rocky Mountain Health Plans Member Advisory Group –Tuesday morning I met with a couple of our CCDC members and was ready for my bus ride home—destined to leave around 1:20 pm.  The plan was to get home at reasonable hour as I had to leave early today (Wednesday) to go to Charleston South Carolina for Legal Services Corporation meetings.

I was SO excited because Greyhound finally printed tickets that have a little wheelchair on them when one indicates that they will be traveling with a wheelchair.   It took years for busses to be accessible at all, then it was even more years for them allow us cripples to buy tickets on line like everyone else.   Until now the tickets would not print in a way that showed wheelchair access was needed.   Leaving Denver is never a problem but every time I was to leave Grand Junction I had the same problem—the guy at the station would always tell me I “did it wrong” in terms of buying the ticket, tell me that I may or may not be able to get on the bus—that I would have to see if they had room.   This was always a huge stress.  When he would “allow” me on the bus it was always the local which stops four times, never the express for which I had bought a ticket.

So—I was thrilled to have an express ticket with a little wheelchair picture –he could not deny me now!!!   As I was getting ready to head over I noticed a new feature on the Greyhound website called “track my bus”.   I decided to check it out—just for fun.   My excitement ended when I saw the bus was 4 hours late.

I remembered there was the local route, the one I am usually forced to ride.  I go to the station (after a stop at my favorite candy store—they have a great licorice selection) and ask if I can get on the local.   I acknowledge my ticket is for the express and show him the ticket with the wheelchair—to my surprise he is nicer (maybe the letter from our legal program had something to do with it).   He says “if the lift works” I can get on the bus that will be on time—that will get me back to Denver at 6:30 instead of 5:40 but well before 11 pm which is when my scheduled bus will arrive.

I bite my tongue and do not say that the lift better be working and that they are supposed to check them regularly whether or not they have a passenger reserved ..and soon he tells me yes, I can get on this bus.     I get on and am pleasantly surprised by a wonderful driver who actually tells me that there is a rest stop in Vail and asks me if I will want to get out!!!  WOW—that almost never happens.   Wheelchair users are not supposed to need to use a bathroom or eat while traveling.   I actually do not need to get out but really appreciate the offer.  Then to make it even better he takes control of the bus and requires people to be quiet so I can get work done and do not have to listen to other people’s music, children, or cell phone related drama.

Can it get any better????

We cruise along—pick up people in Glenwood, Vail, Frisco, watch a great sunset, mountain scenery, and life is good.   Then we get to Georgetown and the bus sputters out.   After a few futile tries to get it going again the driver announces that we are having mechanical problems.   Immediately some grumbling….”you are not getting my business again” says someone from the back.    Really—I think—how many of us who travel Greyhound have a ton of other options?   I keep my mouth shut.

The driver tries to tell us that it will take some time but people decide that a bus should arrive in one hour—I knew that was not going to happen and tried to say so.  People stay relatively calm—I wonder if they will be able to use the lift to get me out.  The driver has to argue with Greyhound management somewhere to send a rescue bus.   After several phone calls he succeeds or so we think.

Greyhound does not send a rescue bus –but instead sends a mechanic who is tasked with trying to fix a bus, in the dark, in the rain, on a highway.  Yeah—right.  As we get to two hours people begin freaking out.    It is not too cold but not warm either—one definitely needs a coat on inside the bus and it gets colder with people going in and out for smoke breaks.   Several people start complaining loudly—and a couple start talking about how horrible this is and that “there are two handicapped people on the bus” and it is “negligent” that we are left without heat.   I guess I am one of the two –another guy is an amputee who has a manual wheelchair stored below the bus (his choice—there is room for two chairs).    I am about to protest but think better of it.   I figured that they would not send a new bus but instead have the bus that was four hours later stop and get us—and I knew that bus would be full —so realized maybe a mood on the bus of concern for us would be in our best interest.    If they are so concerned that they have to scream about it then they could not possibly justify the replacement bus refusing to allow us on—right?

Keeping my mouth shut in these situations is not a strong point and I am mildly impressed with my restraint.    People were resigned to missing their connections—but there were busses leaving at midnight they could catch.  A couple poor souls had flights to catch that they were not going to make.  I felt badly for them.   As people got more worked up—the mechanic worked in futility outside.   Our driver was terrific, he remained calm.  We all realized it was not his fault.   However the complaining continued and people started getting each other escalated.  Eventually someone decided they were going to call the police.  They did –the cops asked what he wanted them to do—he said he wanted them to bring us a space heater for the bus….right then another bus pulled up.  I was correct and it was that other bus that was four hours late.    That driver was NOT in a good mood.

Everyone except my fellow cripple, a couple guys and I get on the other bus.  One person comes back to tell us the bus is really crowded.   I worry…and wonder out loud if I will get on the bus.  “They have to let you on—they can’t just leave you” says the able bodied guy who was waiting.   I did not respond but thought of a colleague who was left for almost 24 hours in a rural mountain town while several busses went by and claimed to not have room—despite his prepaid ticket.    The nice driver finally came to me and said quietly—lets get you off this bus and I will make it work.    We get me off—and I wait outside while he goes in and talks to the second driver—they are in there a long time—and finally he comes out with a smile—VICTORY.   I  get on the bus and we are in business—several hours later but in business.   While others are pleased to finally be on a moving bus I am ecstatic.

I guess this means we have not in fact arrived—as a disability rights advocate it should be that exciting that I was not left on a mountain road or on a broken bus.      However I am still pleased that the other passengers were at least concerned and not arguing for us to be left or forming a little angry anti cripple mob—something that has happened in the past and that feels awful.    So—maybe we have made some progress—others understood we had a right to be on the bus!

In fact, we have made a lot of progress.   It was not too long ago when not every bus had a lift and when it would have been impossible for both busses to have a lift at all.   In those days there was a strict 48 hour advance notice even for emergencies.   People, including me, were regularly stranded in all sorts of places.   The bottom line is that stuff happens when one travels.   For people with disabilities when all we have to deal with is the “stuff” that happens to everyone it is a wonderful day!  The two “handicapped” people on the bus were the two that had the easiest time managing the disruption because to us inclusion—even inclusion in disruption—was wonderful.   The ADA does not guarantee us that things will always work—it does not guarantee us jobs, happiness or anything other than a level playing field to have the same experiences as everyone else.    When that happen’s it still feels like a stroke of luck.

Past Events: Video Recordings, Links & Resources 

Jump directly to the following recordings:

Lawsuit Adds Pressure on RTD to Drop Union Station Rule Changes

Denver artist Raverro Stinnett was at Union Station after attending a LoDo art opening, waiting for a train home early on the morning of April 20, 2018, when he was confronted by four security officers who threatened him and challenged him to a fight. Two of the guards, employed by contractor Allied Universal Security Services, led him to a bathroom and brutally assaulted him while another kept watch; all three later pleaded guilty to criminal charges. Stinnett was left with permanent brain injuries that, according to a lawsuit filed last week, “have completely upended his life.”

Continue to Westword Article

SWEEP of 300 PEOPLE WITH NO HOUSING TO STAY AT HOME Your Action Needed!!!

Your Help Is Needed!

The City is planning a sweep of all the encampments from 20th to 23rd, from Welton to Curtis – there are about 300 people without housing living at these encampments. We are in a State of Emergency with a deadly pandemic spreading across our nation… And THIS is how our Mayor treats people living on our streets who can’t afford his mile-high rent.

The Mayor’s Office LIED: On March 24th the Mayor’s office replied to an email stating it was “correct” that the city “would not be displacing people or their property” during this state of emergency. We are still in a state of emergency with a pandemic spreading across our City. The Mayor’s office lied straight out. How are people on the streets supposed to trust our government when they are lied to like this?

You Can’t “Stay at Home” when Your Tent is Being Swept: The sweep is scheduled for April 30th. The stay-at-home order has just been extended to May 8th. How are people living in tents at these encampments supposed to “stay at home” when the closest thing they have to a home, their tent, is being evicted from public space with nowhere to go?

CDC guidance says Sweeps should NOT take place UNLESS INDIVIDUAL HOUSING is AVAILABLE for all at the encampment: The CDC guidance clearly states the following,

“Unless individual housing units are available, do not clear encampments during community spread of COVID-19. Clearing encampments can cause people to disperse throughout the community and break connections with service providers. This increases the potential for infectious disease spread.” https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/homeless-shelters/unsheltered-homelessness.html

Where are the 300 housing units for residents of these encampments???

As of yesterday, there were 95 tents in the area planned to be swept. There are between 1 and 5 people staying in each tent, meaning there are about 300 people living outside in this area. In order to follow CDC guidance, stay-at-home orders, and care about human beings, individual housing (i.e. vacant apartments or hotel rooms) must be provided to every person in these encampments before they can be swept. Either housing needs to be given for all 300 people or the sweep needs to be called off.

Action Items

► Sample letters for both the Mayor and the City Council are on our website. Use this link.

Sample letters for the ACTION: SWEEP of 300 PEOPLE WITH NO HOUSING TO STAY AT HOME

Sample Letter for Governor Polis

Dear Governor Polis,

We have an emergency situation in Denver. People experiencing homelessness are camped near downtown Denver in part because they feel it is safer than living in a shelter with hundreds of others. For months, Mayor Hancock has refused to provide them with bathrooms or hand-washing facilities. This week, Denver Homeless Out Loud and Mutual Aid Denver came up with funding and placed four portable toilets and hand-washing stations near these encampments. On Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020, this same area was posted for a sizeable multi-block Sweep to take place on Thursday, April 30th, 2020. The Sweep could affect as many as 300 people.

The CDC guidance clearly states the following, “Unless individual housing units are available, do not clear encampments during community spread of COVID-19. Clearing encampments can cause people to disperse throughout the community and break connections with service providers. This action increases the potential for infectious disease spread.” (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/homeless-shelters/unsheltered-homelessness.html )  The planned Sweep directly violates CDC guidance to cities, and it will separate these neighbors from the toilets and hand-washing stations, which provide a minimum amount of safety for them.

We have heard nothing about the City providing an apartment or hotel/motel room to each of the people affected by the Sweep. According to CDC guidance, providing rooms must be done for our neighbors living on our streets so they, too, can shelter at home. Please use your influence or emergency regulatory authority to prevent this Sweep and any others in Denver or across the State until the pandemic is over unless individual housing – hotel/motel/apartments – is provided to the people surviving on the street before the Sweep. You must issue an Executive Order from the Governor’s Office prohibiting Sweeps until this pandemic is declared over.

Thank you for acting to stop the imminent Sweep in Denver and those of other homeless encampments across Colorado.

You may contact Terese Howard, DHOL, at (415) 517-5603 or terese.act@gmail.com.

Sample Letter for the City Council

Dear Council Members,
The City is planning a sweep of all the encampments from 20th to 23rd, from Welton to Curtis, where approximately 300 people without housing live. On March 24th, the Mayor’s office replied to an email stating it was “correct that the city would not be displacing people or their property during this State of emergency.” We are still in a state of emergency with a pandemic spreading across our City. It appears the Mayor’s office lied straight out.

When the government lies like this, how are people on the streets supposed to trust their leaders?

The scheduled Sweep is for April 30th. The stay-at-home order has just been extended to May 8th. How are people living in tents at these encampments supposed to “stay at home” when the closest thing they have to a home, their tent, is being evicted from public space with nowhere to go?

The CDC guidance clearly states the following, ‘Unless individual housing units are available, do not clear encampments during community spread of COVID-19. Clearing encampments can cause people to disperse throughout the community and break connections with service providers. This increases the potential for infectious disease Spread.” (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/homeless-Shelters/unsheltered-homelessness.html)

So our question is this: Where are the individual housing units available for the 300 people living at these encampments?

As of yesterday, the Sweep area has 95 tents with between 1 and 5 people staying in each tent. This means there are about 300 people currently living in this area. To follow CDC guidance, stay-at-home orders, and care about human beings, we must provide private housing (i.e., vacant apartments or hotel rooms) to every person in these encampments. Either find housing accommodations for all 300 people or call off the Sweep.

To make housing available for those in the affected area, we need to get on the ball right away. We must identify the units, ensure the appropriateness of each person’s particular needs, and help transport their property to their new house.

In case you did not see our recent quick survey of 64 people who are homeless, found that 87% would choose a hotel room as a first option. Tent camping was the second-best option, and shelter was last. Residents of these encampments want housing!

Please help us ensure no Sweep occurs unless and until appropriate individual housing is available for all 300 people at these encampments. Contact the Mayor’s office and ask where the 300 housing units are for these residents.

Inform the Mayor’s office you do not support a Sweep of these residents unless the can offer real housing for all. If there are not 300 housing units ready for folks to move in, the Mayor must call off the Sweep immediately.

 

Sincerely,

Stimulus Payment Information and Links

English/Español

Reminder for SSA, VA, SSI and RRB Benefit Recipients with Dependents

This deadline has passed. If you didn’t file for your dependant children, the stimulus amount of $500 will be available after you file your 2020 taxes.

From IRS.gov: “The IRS has already scheduled payments to taxpayers based on Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI),  or survivor benefits, Railroad Retirement benefits. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Veterans Affairs (C&P) benefit payments will be scheduled shortly for payment in mid-May. However, the window has closed to use this tool for these recipients who have a child and don’t normally file a tax return. These recipients who do not receive a payment that includes up to $500 for any qualifying children can file a tax return next year to determine their payment based on 2020 and claim any additional amount they weren’t paid this year.”

We have also received multiple questions about dependant children over the age of 17 and parents claimed as dependents on their adult child’s taxes.

If you have questions about your stimulus payment, check one of these pages for information:

IRS Sites

For Veterans:

News Articles

URGENT UPDATE FOR BENEFIT RECIPIENTS WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN

We were just informed there is a deadline of tomorrow (Wednesday) at 10 am MST for anyone on specific benefit programs AND who also have dependent children. 

Social Security recipients have until noon on Wednesday to file taxes or fill out this non-filer form: Non-Filers: Enter Payment Information. This unexpected deadline is a huge burden on parents with disabilities who are on SSDI and other Social Security recipients, including survivor beneficiaries such as windows and widowers with young children and retirement beneficiaries such as grandparents raising adopted children under the age of 17. The IRS Press Release explains another deadline is coming shortly for parents who receive SSI or VA benefits. 

If the following statements are true, you MUST file before 10 am Mountain time tomorrow.
  • I did not file a tax return in 2019 or 2018.
  • I have dependent children.
  • I receive benefits from one or more of the following: Social Security retirement, survivor or disability benefits (SSDI), Railroad Retirement benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries
If all these statements are true, go to the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Information and follow the steps to complete the requirements to receive your stimulus payments. 
If you need assistance, Click on the help document below to walk you through the process. Remember, the deadline is tomorrow morning (4/22) at 10 am so please, complete this today.

Non-filers step by step instructions

CALL TO ACTION: We Need 12% FMAP (Federal Medicaid Assistance Payment) Increase

Urgent Action Needed from You!

From Julie Reiskin, Executive Director

Background:

  • The FMAP formula is designed so that the Fed pays a lesser portion of Medicaid costs in states with higher per capita income relative to the national average.  Colorado until recently was a wealthier state.
  • FMAP rates have a statutory minimum of 50% and a maximum of 83%. For FY2019, regular FMAP rates range nationally from 50% – 76.39%, with Colorado at 50% and states like MS, WV, AL, KY, and NM at greater than 70%,
  • That means for every dollar of expense, the State of Colorado and the Fed each chip in 50 cents, despite how the Coronavirus pandemic is impacting our economy right now.  Colorado has tourism as a big part of our economy.
  • At the same time, Medicaid membership increases as our economy takes a downturn, creating even more expense for the State.

Federal Response:

  • The Federal Stimulus package did include a 6.2% increase in FMAP for all states.
  • Colorado and most other states asked for and received needed flexibility from the federal government to help us cope with the effects of the pandemic. THIS JUST ALLOWS US TO DO THE ACTIVITIES BELOW BUT DOES NOT GIVE US RESOURCES TO ACTUALLY DO THESE THINGS:  Some of our requests include:
    • Not kicking people off of Medicaid during the crisis
    • Relaxing prior authorization requirements so people do not risk not getting essential services
    • Increased funds for supports like cleaning and sanitizing in nursing facilities, dialysis centers, etc.
    • Paying retainer payments to programs that are essential for our most vulnerable but that cannot operate during the crisis like adult day care programs
    • Allowing paid time off for some direct care workers so they do not come work with vulnerable people when ill.

Problem:

For Colorado to actually implement the most critical areas of flexibility requested, meet the needs of the Medicaid providers that include rural hospitals, personal care workers, people that provide direct support to those with cognitive disabilities, and other essential needs the FMAP needs to be at least 12%.   Therefore, we need our federally elected officials to actively fight for an increased FMAP in the next stimulus package currently in the work.  It must be at least 12%.  At the very least we need money that goes to the states to help with Medicaid costs.

This is NOT a partisan issue.  Medicaid Helps ALL of Colorado.   This could be a life and death issue for elderly and disabled Coloradans but will also affect many others including everyone who has either lost their job or has reduced hours.

WHAT TO DO NOW:

Everyone should contact BOTH Senators and the Representative for YOUR area.  You should say that you want the package to include 12% FMAP or any other way to get money to state governments and why you care about Medicaid.  Include that you are a voter, and know and speak to many other voters!!    Share this request with others.

Colorado U.S. Senators

  1. https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact
  2. https://www.gardner.senate.gov/contact-cory/email-cory

Colorado U. S. Representatives

  1. CD 1 Diana DeGette https://degette.house.gov/contact  Denver
  2. CD 2 Joe Neguse https://neguse.house.gov/contact  Boulder to Ft. Collins and Eastern Mountains
  3. CD 3 Scott Tipton https://tipton.house.gov/contact Entire Western Slope and Pueblo
  4. CD 4 Ken Buck https://buck.house.gov/contact Northern Colorado including Greeley
  5. CD 5 Doug Lamborn https://lamborn.house.gov/contact Colorado Springs to Salida
  6. CD 6  Jason Crow https://crow.house.gov/contact Aurora to Centennial
  7. CD 7 Ed Perlmutter https://perlmutter.house.gov/forms/writeyourrep/  Most of Jefferson & Adams

Please get at least 5 other people to write –and ask them to do the same!

A map showing the congressional districts of Colorado.CD 1 Diana DeGette:  Denver  CD 2 Joe Neguse: Boulder to Ft. Collins and Eastern Mountains CD 3 Scott Tipton: Entire Western Slope and Pueblo CD 4 Ken Buck: Northern Colorado including Greeley CD 5 Doug Lamborn: Colorado Springs to Salida CD 6  Jason Crow: Aurora to Centennial CD 7 Ed Perlmutter: Most of Jefferson & Adams
Colorado Congressional Districts, 113th Congress

Southern Colorado Providers Say Coronavirus Impact Additive For Vulnerable Populations

CCDC In the News!

CCDC’s own Kristen Castor was interviewed as part of the following news report. Follow the link to read the entire article. Kristen’s section is below

Southern Colorado Providers Say Coronavirus Impact Additive For Vulnerable Populations

Kristen Castor
Non-attorney advocate with the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, based in Pueblo

Image of members of the CCDC 2019 State Meeting.
Kristen Castor (second from right) works as a non-attorney advocate with the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition.
Kristen Castor (second from right) works as a non-attorney advocate with the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition.
CREDIT COLORADO CROSS-DISABILITY COALITION

On Her Work With The Organization
My primary responsibility is to represent people who are appealing Medicaid denials at the administrative law judge level with the state. And then I do a lot of miscellaneous organizing things. Right now there’s a lot, because we’re trying to get our own membership informed about the virus, the precautions they can take and the benefits that they have.

Interestingly enough, most of the people with disabilities that we serve live below the poverty level. So, anything that deals with poverty often crosses over with what we need to look at for our population.

On Supports And Challenges Due To COVID-19
I’ve been so worried about people being stuck in their homes and not able to get food. That just terrifies me. I think people with severe disabilities or possibly very elderly people are at high risk of that happening. And so far, the city [of Pueblo] has just responded by creating more networks and trying to help that particular population.

[We’ve been discussing] the fear that if you need medical help outside of your disability, that you will be triaged, and basically murdered. That’s the fear we live with that constantly. And the reason is because all of us, if we have a severe disability and lived with it for a number of years, all of us have been told to our faces by various people that we should not be alive. I’ve been told that.

We’ve been fighting for the right to live in the community for the last 40 years. So every time we go around with a threat like this, we’re thinking, ‘Oh my god, I fought all my life to stay independent, and now I might lose it with a pen stroke.’ And people with disabilities, we’re just that–we’re people. It doesn’t mean we can’t contribute.

  1. Pages:
  3. 1
  4. 2
  5. 3
  6. 4
  7. 5
  8. 6
  9. 7
  10. 8
  11. 9
  12. ...
  13. 26

Important Notice
CCDC’s employees and/or volunteers are NOT acting as your attorney. Responses you receive via electronic mail, phone, or in any other manner DO NOT create or constitute an attorney-client relationship between you and the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition (CCDC), or any employee of, or other person associated with, CCDC. The only way an attorney-client relationship is established is if you have a signed retainer agreement with one of the CCDC Legal Program attorneys.

Information received from CCDC’s employees or volunteers, or from this site, should NOT be considered a substitute for the advice of a lawyer. www.ccdconline.org DOES NOT provide any legal advice, and you should consult with your own lawyer for legal advice. This website is a general service that provides information over the internet. The information contained on this site is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation.

Verified by ExactMetrics
A+ A-