News
THE WISCONSIN INDEPENDENT: Wisconsin mom of daughter with disabilities fears impact of expected Medicaid cuts
By SD Network, 2025-11-13
This article from The Wisconsin Independent highlights the concerns of Megan Lowe, a Wisconsin mother of a daughter with Rett syndrome, regarding the impact of significant Medicaid cuts introduced by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump in July 2025. The legislation reduces federal Medicaid spending by $1 trillion over the next decade, potentially affecting healthcare coverage for 80 million Americans, including children and individuals with disabilities. Lowe shares her fears about losing Medicaid support, which currently covers essential medical supplies, therapies, and respite care for her daughter, Norah. She also expresses concerns about the accessibility of contraception for women with disabilities and the potential closure of nearby rural hospitals due to funding cuts. The article further discusses the broader implications of Medicaid cuts, including rising health insurance premiums and the expiration of tax credits for Affordable Care Act policies, which could lead to financial strain for millions of Americans.
WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO: Wisconsin friends team up to create disability justice zine
By SD Network, 2025-11-13
Two Wisconsin artists have created a disability justice zine titled Crip Wisdoms: A Feminist Disability Studies Coloring Book. The zine combines quotes, poems, reflections, and interactive activities to explore disability justice concepts like spoon theory, care, masking, and pleasure activism. It is available in print, braille, and digital formats, with a large-print edition forthcoming. The creators partnered with Clovernook Press to produce a tactile braille version for blind readers, incorporating raised textures and detailed image descriptions. All profits from the zine are being donated to the Disability Visibility Project.
DISABILITY SQUEEZE: Theo Braddy on the costs of community living and the threat of re-institutionalization
By SD Network, 2025-11-07
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Theo Braddy (National Council on Independent Living) joins The Disability Squeeze Podcast to discuss the financial and policy barriers facing people with disabilities who rely on home and community-based services. Drawing on his decades of leadership in the Independent Living Movement, Braddy shares his personal experience paying out-of-pocket for attendant care, explores how Medicaid’s “benefits cliff” traps workers, and warns of a growing push toward re-institutionalization. |
MILKEN INSTIITUDE: Longevity Ready: A Systems Approach to Aging Well at Home
By SD Network, 2025-11-07
This report highlights macro-level trends shaping how individuals and families approach aging at home, implementation strategies that increase awareness and improve access to tools and resources, and specific action steps for key stakeholders including healthcare, financial services, employers, advocacy groups, community-based organizations, and government agencies. The report emphasizes that becoming longevity-ready requires systemic change beyond individual effort, offering a roadmap for creating environments that make it possible for everyone to plan for and age well at home.
POLITICO: Judge orders White House to restore sign language interpreters at briefings by Trump, Leavitt
By SD Network, 2025-11-07
U.S. District Judge Amir Ali ordered the White House to restore real-time American Sign Language interpretation at all press briefings conducted by President Donald Trump or press secretary Karoline Leavitt, finding the administration's decision to end ASL interpretation illegally excluded deaf Americans from crucial government updates.
As the government shutdown continues, it's starting to affect more and more people. The pause in food assistance is affecting lots of people with disabilities who rely on it. The Independent Living Center in Milwaukee reports that they're getting several calls from people looking for assistance how to get food.
NATIONAL ACADEMY FOR STATE HEALTH POLICY: Strengthening the Respite Care Workforce
By SD Network, 2025-10-31
The direct care workforce is one of the fastest growing occupations in the U.S. — with statistics showcasing a projected 772,000 new jobs by 2034. Respite care providers are integral to the overall workforce as they provide caregivers a much-needed break. As an emerging innovation from NASHP’s Caregiving State Policy Learning Collaborative, state governments have made investments in supporting family caregivers — including the provision of respite care. Research has found that when older adults’ caregivers receive supports that include respite, caregiver outcomes improve, older adults’ nursing home placement is delayed, and hospital readmissions and emergency room expenditures are decreased. The insights shared in this paper offer states examples to strengthen their respite care workforce to help ensure that caregivers have access to high-quality respite care.
64% of Wisconsin nursing home residents rely on Medicaid for their care. Wisconsin's Department of Health Services estimates billions in additional state costs if federal Medicaid reductions move forward. But if Medicaid funds shrink, Wisconsin programs like Family Care and IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) will feel it too. Home health agencies already run on thin margins, and cuts or restrictions on how states raise funds mean less flexibility to protect home-based services. A recent analysis by state disability and aging organizations warned unpaid caregivers in Wisconsin will shoulder even more responsibility if Medicaid reductions go through.
