Assembly And Senate To Restore $90M In OPWDD Cuts
Lawmakers in the Senate and Assembly announced today they had agreed to restore about $90 million in cuts to service prodviders for the developmentally disabled.
“I am proud we were able to reach an agreement that will undoubtedly stave off devastating cuts that would negatively impact our most vulnerable populations,” said Sen. David Carlucci, the chairman of the Senate Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee in a statement. “While initially we were able to restore a portion of these cuts towards OPWDD providers, I have remained steadfast and consistent from the beginning in my commitment towards restoring the full $120 million dollars slashed from our budget. As I have said before, we cannot balance the budget on the backs of the developmentally disabled.
Gannett Albany initially reported on the deal this afternoon that would restore the cuts, which also resulted in the loss of $90 million in federal matching funds.
The cuts were agreed to in the 2013-14 state budget despite lawmakers’ objections in order for the state to address a dispute over Medicaid overpayments to the federal government. The governor had originally proposed cutting $120 million, with $30 million ultimately restored.
Read more at http://capitaltonightny.ynn.com/2013/06/assembly-and-senate-to-restore-90m-in-opwdd-cuts/
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