NYAIL and Advocacy Partners Join to Urge Governor Hochul to Repeal the Medicaid Asset Test for People with Disabilities

NYAIL, Medicaid Matters (of which NYAIL is a member), and several other advocacy groups have joined to urge Governor Hochul to include repeal of the Medicaid asset test for people with disabilities and older adults in her 2023-24 Executive Budget. The letter to the Governor is linked here.

The letter calls for:
– Increase of the asset test from 150% to 600% of the annual income limit
– Repeal of the asset test for the Medicaid Buy-In for Working People with Disabilities (MBI-WPD) as a work incentive

The letter also points out that people with disabilities and older adults with low income are disproportionately people of color and that this is an equity issue.

The letter was signed by:

Medicaid Matters
Center for Elder Law and Justice
Community Service Society of New York
Empire Justice Center
The Legal Aid Society
Medicare Rights Center
New York Association on Independent Living
New York Legal Assistance Group
New York StateWide Senior Action Council

NYAIL Sends 2023 Budget Priorities Letter to Governor Hochul

NYAIL has sent a letter to Governor Hochul outlining budget priorities for the upcoming state budget. The letter is the annual precursor to NYAIL's Budget Disability Priority Agenda. This year's letter requests:

• Increase base funding for Independent Living Centers (ILCs) to $18 million in SFY 2023- 24 as supported by the State Education Department and Board of Regents.

• Address the home care crisis by increasing wages for home care workers to 150% of the State’s minimum wage, as outlined in the Fair Pay for Home Care Act.

• Repeal cuts to eligibility for Medicaid proposed by the Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) II which makes it more difficult for people to receive vital community-based long-term supports and services (LTSS).

• Expand eligibility for New York’s Medicaid Buy-In program by eliminating age and asset limits to support the employment of people with disabilities.

• Increase the State’s share of funding for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program to $15 million.

• Increase funding for Access to Home to $10 million.

View the full letter on our Advocacy Priorities webpage.

In recognition of Juneteenth and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) NYAIL holds June and July webinars .

In recognition of Juneteenth and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work we're very pleased to announce that NYAIL's webinars for June and July will be presented by Keri Gray.
 
Keri’s work centers on exploring the intersections of race, gender, and disability across the workplace. We're excited to welcome Keri to our webinar series and as a part of the ongoing work on D.E.I. in our community.
 
The 2022 NYAIL Webinar Series is sponsored by Waymo.
 
Disability Inclusion & Intersectionality with Keri Gray
on June 30th from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
 
NYAIL welcomes Keri Gray to our 2022 Webinar Series for two special presentations in June and July. June's webinar is, "Disability Inclusion and Intersectionality". We hope you will join us as we follow the Juneteenth holiday celebrations with this opportunity to learn about continuing important work on race and disability.
 
Between COVID-19, racial tensions, and rising work expectations, disability and mental health awareness with organizational leaders is more important than ever. This session addresses the relationship between race and disability and establishes a common language around intersectionality. You will walk away with insights into cultivating programs, practices, and building an organizational culture that is grounded in racial justice, disability justice, and inclusion. Expected learning outcomes include:
 
  • Gain awareness on the interconnected nature of disability and race.
  • Identify what limits trust and safety on a team.
  • Understand the importance of intersectional efforts across your organization.
  • Cultivate tools to recognize and combat bias in the workplace.

 

Sanction our Scars: A conversation on storytelling that centers those most impacted.
On July 13th from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
 
NYAIL welcomes back Keri Gray to our 2022 Webinar Series for a special presentation in July, "Sanction our Scars: A conversation on storytelling that centers those most impacted."
 
For the longest time, disability narratives have been dominated by its connection to the medical industry and institutions. These images and stories often evoke pity, pain, fear and even brutality, particularly across Black and Brown communities. This workshop helps participants wrestle with the relationship between power, stories, and identity. It also enables participants to identify where they can tell fuller stories that are inclusive of the experiences of Black & Brown people with disabilities. Expected learning outcomes include:
 
  • Identify and challenge cultural myths and outdated perspectives on body image and performance.
  • Develop tools that interrupt negative biases through inclusive channels of expression.
  • Demonstrate authentic communication and create community with people of color with disabilities.