Bush cuts funding for disabled children

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Mon, 6 Mar 2006 22:12:41 -0800 (PST)

Bush cuts funding for disabled children

 

 

 

 

 

Defining `Unnecessary': Bush Cuts Funding For Disabled Children

Bush has continually called for cuts in " unnecessary spending. " From

his 2006 State of the Union address:

 

Every year of my presidency, we've reduced the growth of

non-security discretionary spending, and last year you passed bills

that cut this spending. This year my budget will cut it again, and

reduce or eliminate more than 140 programs that are performing poorly

or not fulfilling essential priorities.

 

What kind of spending is unnecessary? In Bush's view, programs that

assist disabled children. The President's budget will eliminate

Medicaid reimbursements for schoolchildren with disabilities, denying

them " access to medical services they need to fully participate in

school and learn to their greatest abilities. " It cuts funding for

medical equipment on buses, transportation to medical appointments,

and the administrative costs of identifying children with special

medical and learning needs.

 

If schools are no longer able to seek reimbursement for these

services, costs will shift to districts and states already grappling

with fiscal constraints. But those who will be most affected are the

children and students with disabilities who have already been hurt by

January's drastic Medicaid cuts.

 

In February, Bush promised to " continue to work to remove barriers

that still confront Americans with disabilities and their families. "

His budget, however, creates new barriers for disabled children.

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/03/06/bush-disabled-children/