On April 4, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) released his Fiscal Year 2012 spending plan.  This plan potentially represents the greatest threat to funding for disability programs in our history.  Key provisions are:

• Medicaid.  Cuts $1.4 trillion over 10 years and shifts fiscal responsibility to the states by (1) converting the program to a block grant; (2) setting a cap on overall federal spending that inevitably results in reducing federal Medicaid spending over time; and (3) rolling back protections that currently ensure health coverage is not diminished. Discretionary Programs. Eliminates most federal government programs outside of health care, Social Security, and defense over time as the cuts are so deep.
• Medicare. Replaces Medicare with a voucher program for people currently under the age of 55.
• Health Care Reform. Repeals and defunds the Affordable Care Act.