With two sides squaring off, it will be up to the voters in November to decide the fate of Louisiana’s disabled.

What’s at stake is the use of funds. An amendment on the Nov. 4 ballot could put necessary funding for people with disabilities in Louisiana at risk, according to a nonprofit.

Constitutional Amendment No. 1 will ask voters if they support authorizing the Legislature to create the Louisiana Medical Assistance Trust Fund for the payment of Medicaid reimbursement to the health care provider groups paying fees into the fund.

Stephanie Patrick, director of policy and planning at The Advocacy Center, has said she is worried about the potential impact of the amendment.

Patrick is concerned about rate protections guaranteed by providers who pay into the fund because it will be difficult for the state to cut its budget during times of shortfalls.

Historically, higher education and health care are the two places the state cuts when there are times of budget deficits. One consequence of the bill, according to Patrick: It would restrict budget flexibility. Funding for these facilities already accounts for 31 percent of the total Medicaid budget.

She said that if the amendment passes, legislators will be unable to manage future budgets effectively.

“They will be forced to cut programs and services that are vital to their constituents — especially the home and community-based services that people with disabilities overwhelmingly want,” she said.

However, the biggest problem with the amendment is the “preferential rate protections for the protected institutions,” she added.

She pointed out the amendment could affect the lives of hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities, especially the more than 45,000 residents in the state waiting for services in their homes.

It will be up to the people to decide where the funds should go. It’s up to voters to be informed about the amendment and make the best decision for Louisianians.(MGNonline)