Senator James Doyle: Stop Cuts To The Developmentally Disabled

Senator James Doyle: Stop Cuts To The Developmentally Disabled

Only 4,000 people are members of Rhode Island’s Developmentally Disabled community. 4,000 out of one million residents use these services. 4,000 of our neighbors, brothers, sisters, friends, and family are in very real danger, and I cannot in good conscience remain silent. Many great leaders in history have said a society is judged on the treatment of its weakest members. In a few short weeks, Rhode Islanders treatment of its weakest members will take a sad turn as cuts to the Developmentally Disabled program take effect.

As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, I listened to the administration’s justification of these cuts. They claimed that only the providers and the insurance companies would be affected. They also claimed these cuts will spur efficiencies within the system, eventually creating better services for the clients.

After hearing the Governor and House Finance Committee’s proposed cuts to the community, I began visiting the state’s group homes and treatment centers, listening to the staff and, more importantly, the clients and their families. Coming from their mouths, the situation is far different than was explained to me by the administration.

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Government bureaucracy is a tangled beast and waste is prevalent throughout, without a doubt. But at the cost of 4,000 of our most helpless residents, I have to believe money can be saved in other areas, allowing our 4,000 developmentally disabled residents to continue to live their lives as comfortably and peacefully as possible.

Are people who buy luxury-clothing items tax-free really more important than a young boy with cerebral palsy? I think not. Money can be found without ruining that boy’s already difficult quality of life. Given the choice between the lesser of two evils, I believe most Rhode Islanders would say that high-priced designer jeans should be taxed before cutting services to the disabled.

Those who rely on the state’s services, most often because their families’ finances have been drained by years of treatment already, will be affected by these cuts, and their quality of life jeopardized. Whether it’s the loss of well-established treatment techniques or trained and familiar staff, those enrolled in the state’s Developmentally Disabled program will be hurt after disrupting the structure and familiarity of their treatment programs.

In these extremely difficult economic times, we should not be hurting those who are most in need. I can sleep at night after taxing luxury items, such as boats and high-end clothing, but sending our state’s most vulnerable residents into the dark to fend for themselves will result in many sleepless nights for me. Can you say the same?