When Alabama Medicaid waiver services disappear, independence is at risk

By Whit Sides, Cover Alabama storyteller, Alabama Arise

A year after Alabama Arise first shared Angel Garrett’s story, the DeKalb County writer and disability advocate is speaking out again.

In this new personal video essay, Angel shares why she believes people with disabilities are at risk of losing hard-won progress — and why protecting Medicaid waiver services is essential to preserving the independence so many Alabamians have fought to achieve.

Home- and community-based Medicaid waiver services (HCBS)  provide supports like personal care, homemaking assistance, meal delivery, respite care and home modifications. These programs help people with disabilities remain safely in their homes and communities instead of entering institutional care.

Angel knows firsthand what it means to lose those supports. 

Recently, she went to renew her waiver that helps her receive groceries, cook and keep her safe. Her renewal application was denied.

“Absolutely nothing changed in my diagnosis. I didn’t all of a sudden wake up one morning without my disability,” she said.

Angel’s experience reflects what many disability advocates are hearing from people across Alabama. Waiver denials and service interruptions are forcing many Alabamians with disabilities into lengthy appeals while they try to hold onto the supports they need to live safely and independently.

Angel’s Medicaid waiver offered her the ability to have help at home with tasks that her disability meant she couldn’t handle alone.

“It wasn’t until my dad died that I realized how much he helped me be independent. As well as how much I will need assistance as I age. I am already experiencing loss of some of my independence,” she said.

‘Leave the world better than how I found it’

Angel said she thinks our government should focus on strengthening programs that support people with disabilities instead of making it easier for states to cut those services altogether.

The Trump administration is attacking HCBS services, leaving many states under pressure to cut coverage for people who depend on Medicaid to live safely at home. Alabama’s legislature can respond by making Medicaid funding a priority. 

For example, the state could choose to raise revenue to support the program. Expanding Medicaid and closing the health coverage gap would also free up more state dollars that could be used on optional programs such as this waiver.

Additionally, Alabama Arise and our disability advocacy partners are investigating administrative actions that can be taken by the Medicaid agency to ensure no one who is eligible for a Medicaid waiver is denied. People who are denied coverage should contact the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program for help filing an appeal. 

Angel said she believes her purpose in life is to “leave the world better than how I found it.” Today, she is continuing that work by sharing her story in the hope that other Alabamians with disabilities don’t have to fight the same battles alone.

Alabama’s Medicaid agency should build upon decades of progress improving healthcare access, not chopping it at the root, Angel said.

“I shouldn’t have to spend my time on earth fighting battles already won,” she said.

Cover Alabama campaign director Debbie Smith also contributed to this article. 

About Alabama Arise and Cover Alabama

Whit Sides is the Cover Alabama storyteller for Alabama Arise, a statewide, member-led organization advancing public policies to improve the lives of Alabamians who are marginalized by poverty. Arise’s membership includes faith-based, community, nonprofit and civic groups, grassroots leaders and individuals from across Alabama. Email: whit@alarise.org.

Arise is a founding member of the Cover Alabama coalition. Cover Alabama is a nonpartisan alliance of advocacy groups, businesses, community organizations, consumer groups, health care providers and religious congregations advocating for Alabama to provide quality, affordable health coverage to its residents and implement a sustainable health care system.

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