As a wheelchair user, I have been living in the Hudson Valley with my partner for nearly a decade. I’m able to enjoy living independently because the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance (CDPA) program allows me to manage my home care team. The Medicaid wage for my caregivers recently increased to $16.20 per hour; I am able to supplement up to $18.50. I still struggle to fill all 24 hours of care that I am approved to receive. 

The governor is proposing to phase out the recent wage increase. This will once again make keeping me alive a minimum wage job and puts me at risk of institutionalization. As someone who had to endure an extended hospital stay due to this very reason, I am terrified of the effects these proposals will have. Governor Hochul is also blocking state funds from getting to workers by siding with private managed care corporations. It is contradictory for our governor to claim that keeping us safe is her top priority while destroying a program that does just that for me. 

I ask you to urge Governor Hochul to ensure funds get to providers and include Fair Pay for Home Care in the final budget.