BOISE – Families with members who have disabilities are urged to attend the Disability 2012 Advocacy Day at the Idaho State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 3.
The event will last from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is sponsored by the Consortium for Idahoans with Disabilities and Medicaid Matters in Idaho.
A public hearing will be held from 8-10:30 a.m. at the Garden Level Auditorium, where the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee will take ideas and input from the public. Testimony will be limited to three minutes and people are encouraged to come early and sign up if they wish to testify.
Last year, the JFAC held separate hearings on the Education budget and the Medicaid Budget. About 1000 people came to the capitol to participate in the Medicaid budget hearing and 400 were given the opportunity to speak.
This year’s hearing is on the entire state budget, so there will be people who will come to speak on all aspects of the funding.
An opportunity will be provided for attendees to meet with 13 advocacy and provider association groups to provide assistance, information and support to those who are there in behalf of persons with disabilities. In addition, representatives of these groups are available to assist you prior to the Feb. 3 event to write your testimony, schedule a meeting with your legislator, and tell your story why Medicaid is important in your life and the impact of changes.
If you are coming from outside Boise and need assistance with a place to stay, contact Richelle Tierney at richelle.tierney@mycpid.com.
It is critical that as nay people, people with disabilities, family members, advocates and providers as possible be in Boise on this day to help influence the state leadership.
