The battle over Medicaid and services for Arizonans with disabilities has reached a boiling point as Governor Katie Hobbs vocally opposed a Republican bill she claims will do significant harm to vulnerable populations. The legislation in question would cut critical Medicaid programs and potentially end the Division for Developmental Disabilities (DDD) program, impacting those with autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy. In an impassioned statement obtained by the Office of the Arizona Governor, Hobbs said, "Yesterday, I met with Arizonans who rely on the Division for Developmental Disabilities (DDD) program, a critical lifeline for Arizonans with disabilities including autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy."
Hobbs criticized the legislature for what she called irresponsible and inhumane proposals, and pointed out that she has had a plan to fully fund DDD services since January 17th. However, despite encountering resistance, Hobbs maintains that the proposal "comes from unserious lawmakers, but it will have serious consequences for everyday people." Those words highlight the gulf between the Governor's office and the legislative majority on this high-stakes issue.
According to the Governor's office, the legislative majority has also set its sights beyond services for disabled Arizonans. In her statement, Hobbs said, "Today, they are threatening to gut services for disabled Arizonans. Tomorrow, I have no doubt they will slash health care for middle class children, people with serious mental illnesses, and other populations. I won’t let them do that." The proposed legislation could mark the beginning of further cuts to essential services provided under Arizona's Medicaid programs.
Another bone of contention is the potential for the bill to create significant liability for the state. Governor Hobbs outlined this in her statement, expressing concerns over matters of constitutionality and fiscal irresponsibility. "You can’t spend the same dollar twice," she forcefully stated, arguing that funding sources identified in the bill have already been allocated elsewhere. With such serious potential outcomes, the Governor urged Republicans to abandon what she views as a manufactured crisis and to meet their obligations to Arizona families without further delay.
In her statement, Hobbs also warned that the bill could have ripple effects on the Arizona economy, highlighting the risk of lost jobs and legal liabilities if contracts were cancelled and housing projects left incomplete. She laid out how "The Arizona Competes Fund is used for economic development to create jobs and boost growth," and that nullifying this funding would be detrimental to the state’s growth. With the Housing Trust Fund and economic development projects hanging in the balance, the stakes appear high as the Governor seeks to sway legislative opinion in favor of protecting these initiatives.
