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Your Soapbox — On the Chopping Block: Elderly and disabled speak up about state budget cuts putting lives at risk

By: Sarah Ovaska-Few - June 4, 2014 9:32 am

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MargaretTomanMomAt96-200w-b — Lou M. Longest, or “Miss Lou”, mother of Margaret Toman, at 96 years old. Toman’s mother has Alzheimer’s and turns 101 this year. Read more from Toman’s personal account about how government grants to adult services has helped their lives.

Legislative leaders with the state Senate proposed massive cuts last week to the state’s Medicaid and other health and human services programs that serve the poor, disabled and elderly. The cuts include eliminating Medicaid coverage for nearly 12,000 elderly blind or disabled people and a $1 million reduction to a popular program that delivers meals and provides in-home health services to the elderly.

We want to hear more from people and their families who stand to be affected. What are your experiences? We want to hear from you. Tell us your story using the submission form here. You can also reach reporter Sarah Ovaska at (919) 861-1463 or [email protected].

Personal stories from people and their families who stand to be affected by budget cuts:

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Tell us your story here.

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Sarah Ovaska-Few

Sarah Ovaska-Few, former Investigative Reporter for N.C. Policy Watch for five years, conducted investigations and watchdog reports into issues of statewide importance. Ovaska-Few was also staff writer and reporter for six years with the News & Observer in Raleigh, where she reported on governmental, legal, political and criminal justice issues.