Congress shouldn't balance budget on NYers with disabilities

As Congress debates the federal budget, one of the most essential programs for New Yorkers with disabilities is on the chopping block: Medicaid. For the tens of thousands of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) served by my organization, Medicaid isn’t just a government program — it’s their lifeline.

At The Arc New York, we support more than 60,000 individuals with I/DD across all 62 counties of the state. Through our 35 local chapters, we provide residential care, job coaching, day programs, clinical support, and more. Nearly 30,000 staff — many of whom live and work in the very communities they serve — deliver these services with compassion and skill.

None of this would be possible without Medicaid. Nearly 90% of our funding comes from it. Medicaid covers everything from therapies and medications to the wages of front-line direct support professionals who provide 24/7 care. This program is the infrastructure that allows people with disabilities to live independently, safely, and with dignity.

That’s why it is so essential to support those measures in the proposed legislation advanced through the House of Representatives reconciliation process, which puts protections in place for special populations. In the coming days, this legislation will advance to the Rules Committee and to the full Congress for a vote. Without the continued strong support of New York’s congressional delegation, these protections remain at risk.

We are especially grateful to the majority members of New York’s congressional delegation who signed a recent letter opposing Medicaid cuts; they have stood strong on behalf of our interests. Their leadership sends a clear message: New Yorkers with disabilities must not be left behind.

I believe these representatives are committed to preserving this critical funding, but I also know that commitment will be tested. As negotiations heat up and political pressure builds, we urge them — and every member of Congress — to stand firm.

President Donald Trump has made a public promise: no cuts to Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits. He has said it "over and over and over again," in his own words. But fulfilling that promise requires more than headlines — it requires action. Now is the time to prove that commitment by protecting the people who depend on Medicaid the most.

The Arc New York has spent more than 70 years standing with people with disabilities and their families. We are the largest not-for-profit provider of services for people with I/DD in the state. Our reach is broad, but our mission is personal. We know these families. We work in their homes. We walk beside them in schools, jobs, and hospitals.

Medicaid makes that possible. Cut it, and you don’t just trim a budget — you take away housing, health care, daily support, and the chance at a full life.

We urge Congress: Protect Medicaid. Not just in statements, but in votes. Don’t balance the budget on the backs of people with disabilities. Because when we say Medicaid is a lifeline — we mean it.

This guest essay reflects the views of Erik Geizer, chief executive of The Arc New York, a nonprofit serving people with disabilities.