Proposed reductions to Maryland’s Medicaid-funded disability programs have left families worried about their ability to continue caring for loved ones at home. While the state has delayed some of the planned changes for up to 90 days, many caregivers say the uncertainty has already taken a significant emotional and financial toll.
The debate centers on services that help people with disabilities remain in their communities instead of moving into institutional care. According to NBC News, the proposed reductions include cuts affecting payments for family caregivers and outside aides, following a $126 million reduction tied to a state budget shortfall.
For Alexia Florey, a 33-year-old woman with cerebral palsy living in the Baltimore suburbs, these services are part of everyday life. She depends on two aides funded through Medicaid, while her parents also receive compensation through a program designed to support family caregiving at home.
Family Says Proposed Changes Threaten Independent Living
Florey said even getting out of bed each morning requires assistance because cerebral palsy affects her muscles, including those in her legs. She described waiting for help as the hardest part of her day because there are many things she wants to do independently but cannot accomplish without support.
According to NBC News, Florey has used these services for more than a decade while earning a college degree and studying at a local seminary. She described her caregivers as “family in every sense of the word.”
Her family fears that lower wages could make it difficult to retain caregivers. Florey said the aides who currently help her would likely need to seek other employment if the proposed reductions take effect.
Her parents estimate they could lose at least $60,000 each year under the proposed changes. They said that loss would force them to draw from their retirement savings or consider selling their home and moving into a smaller one.
The family also said Florey’s overnight caregiving hours have already been denied. Her parents questioned the decision, saying she qualified for overnight services during the previous five years and that her condition has not changed.
State Cites Rising Costs as Advocates Warn of Wider Concerns
According to the Maryland Department of Health, costs associated with these Medicaid programs have increased by 144% over the past five years. The department said spending needed to be reduced to avoid overspending and to prevent potential violations of federal guidelines that could place broader Medicaid funding at risk.
NBC News reported that, after the network began asking questions about the planned changes, Maryland postponed the wage reductions for family caregivers and outside aides by as much as 90 days.
Florey said she believes people with disabilities are being unfairly affected by efforts to balance the state’s budget. She emphasized that people with disabilities should be recognized as people first, rather than treated as objects.
The report also notes that disability advocates view the issue as extending beyond Maryland. According to NBC News, they argue that President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which they say would reduce Medicaid funding by about $1 trillion over the next decade, could lead to similar concerns for people with disabilities in other parts of the United States.
