Cuts in Kansas means no new wheelchairs for those on Medicaid

From KSCW-TV in Kansas:

State budget cuts may force one Wichita man to quit his job. Over the last several weeks, we've told you about the different ways Medicaid cuts have impacted the disabled. Now those in wheelchairs are not getting the upgrades they need. Those who need the chairs say without them, they lose the chance to be productive citizens.

"Most of our clients are active and spend all of their waking hours in their wheel chairs," said David Kemp with the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation. But CPRF hasn't been able to produce as many custom wheelchairs these days. "I'm stuck in the middle of this, our clients are stuck in the middle of this and it's a tough tough deal," he said.

They're stuck because they can't get parts from vendors since Medicaid reduced how much it pays out. The cuts are two fold. Not only did Medicaid reduce all reimbursements by 10%, but it also reduced the flat rate it pays for durable goods like wheelchair parts. Kemp says that's why vendors can no longer afford to do business with places like CPRF. But Medicaid requires those who need wheelchairs go through CPRF.

"It's frustrating at the least," said Brian Baker. Baker's frustrated because his son Rowdy is one of at least 50 Kansans who need a new chair but can't get one. "Without these chairs and getting these things fixed, then they (the disabled) don't stand a chance," Baker said.

Rowdy's chair is the only thing that keeps his growing body in a neutral position. "If he's not structurally sound, than he'll never be able to grow up to become a productive part of society," Baker said.

Baker wants Rowdy to grow up like 25-year-old David Sierra. Sierra has cerebral palsy and has been in a wheelchair his whole life. He went to college, got married and now works part time at Best Buy. "It makes me feel productive," Sierra said.

But he doesn't know how much longer he'll be able to work, without a new chair to help circulate blood in his legs. "I could relieve the weight off of my legs to tilt back, I think it would help quite a bit." But that help won't happen, unless Medicaid makes changes so CPRF can continue customizing wheelchairs for those who need them.