Many dual-eligible disabled people (Medicare and Medicaid) have enforced reductions of their Social Security income, called "participation fees." This reduction of income puts a disabled person at 20-30% BELOW the poverty line. This makes living on their own virtually impossible. Many disabled are not near the point of being in a nursing home or assisted living facility, but may have to move into one because rents and cost of living are skyrocketing.
We ask that the government reconsider this participation fee and reduce or eliminated it entirely. In the era of the Affordable Care Act, why are we discriminating against the disabled who are not eligible for it? Keeping the disabled living on their own and out of expensive facilities will greatly enhance their lives and reduce costs.