Today, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I, Ref- Medford) joined Assemblywoman Missy Miller (R,C,I-Atlantic Beach), Angela’s House Founder Bob Policastro, Disability Rights Advocate Douglas King, and members of the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Association of New York State at a press conference calling to restore funding to the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP). CDPAP is a statewide Medicaid program that provides alternative home-care services that allows seniors and those with disabilities to have more control over who provides their care and how it is provided.

Gov. Cuomo recently announced in his 2019-20 Executive Budget the intention to cut $75 million from the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, which would terminate the program entirely. Following its termination, the state plans to replace it with a stripped-down version that eliminates 9 out of every 10 caretakers.

“This program has been a great resource for those who are not able to live independently. CDPAP gave seniors and those with disabilities the freedom to hire their own caretakers and the ability to make their own schedule on their own time,” said DeStefano. “This replacement program is doing them a great disservice. I ask Gov. Cuomo to reconsider this $75 million cut and to restore funding to this important program.”