ABOUT #SaveCDPA
#SaveCDPA is a campaign for individuals and organizations who believe in self-direction and independence for seniors and people with disabilities.
We believe that dignity is a right, not a privilege.
What is CDPA?
Consumer Directed Personal Assistance (CDPA) is the only Medicaid program that allows seniors and people with disabilities to self-direct their own home care. Born of the Independent Living movement in the 1970s, CDPA operates on the principle that home care should revolve around people’s lives - not vice versa. In CDPA, consumers recruit, train, supervise, and terminate their own care workers, which can include family or friends. Today, more than 75,000 people in New York State use CDPA, employing well over 100,000 workers.
Why #SaveCDPA? Is the program going away?
CDPA is the fastest growing program in Medicaid long term care. It is very unlikely that New York will eliminate the program altogether. However, the State is willing and capable of introducing changes to the program that harm consumers and the workers they employ.
In 2020, the Department of Health is pushing for severe reimbursement cuts to fiscal intermediaries (FIs), the agencies that provide payroll, Medicaid billing and other important services. These reimbursement cuts will slash administrative funding by 60-80% and force many FIs to limit overtime and decrease workers’ wages.
Image description: A smiling woman in a wheelchair wearing a Slytherin green scarf.. She is wearing glasses.
“I have a significant physical disability that requires me to use a wheelchair and rely on my attendants for my personal care.
I am still a human being with emotions, thoughts, dreams, aspirations. I want to live IN my community. I want to take advantage of the life NYC offers everyone. There is so much to life and pursuing our goals. Nursing homes are death sentences. I NEED CDPA. I want and need to be in my own home. Governor Cuomo, please listen to us.”
“My quality of life has drastically improved. I am confident in my ability to keep a job, maintain my own home and be a part of my community - and this is solely because I have CDPA behind me!
If there are cuts to this program, I will very likely have my entire life stripped from me and will be forced into an institution.”
Our Impact
Overturned the Department of Health’s per member per month reimbursement rate cuts in fee-for-service Medicaid in CDPAANYS et al. vs. Howard Zucker & NYSDOH.
Played a critical role in the Fiscal Intermediary Stakeholder Workgroup, created in the FY2019-20 budget to inform state contracting protocols for fiscal intermediaries.
Organized public demonstrations in New York City and Albany, drawing media attention to program cuts.
Serve on the Medicaid Redesign Team II led by top State health officials and industry stakeholders to enact change to Medicaid in New York for this year’s budget.
Ensured that consumers, personal assistants and families have a voice in local and statewide press coverage of Medicaid cuts and ongoing budget dialogue.
Lead the industry in letter writing campaigns and petitions that continually bring these issues to Governor Cuomo’s attention