Information (reject cuts)
Committee: House HHS Subcommittee
M00M01.02 (House)
The Maryland Catholic Conference (MCC) is the public policy representative of the three (arch)dioceses serving Maryland, which together encompass over one million Marylanders. Statewide, their parishes, schools, hospitals, and numerous charities combine to form our state’s second largest social service provider network, behind only our state government.
The Maryland Catholic Conference offers this testimony as additional information to the Maryland General Assembly in determining FY2026 Operating Budget. A just society is measured by how it cares for its most vulnerable members. We stand with the disability community advocating to retain necessary funding for critical services that support their independence and well-being. Throughout history, individuals with disabilities have faced unjust discrimination, denial of medical care, and even targeted abortion. Respect for life demands fair treatment and full inclusion for all people.
In 2022, over 1.1 million Maryland adults (24% of the state’s population) had a disability. (1) The proposed state budget includes $200 million in cuts to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), which provides Medicaid waivers and essential services to approximately 20,500 Marylanders with disabilities. (2)
Key budget reductions include:
•Eliminating geographic differential rates that help providers in high-cost areas.
•Ending the Low Intensity Support Services (LISS) program, which supports 2,000–2,500 families annually.
•Capping funding for Individual and Family Directed Goods and Services (IFDGS) under Self-Direction.
•Reducing wage adjustments, potentially leading to workforce shortages in disability support services.
•Requiring providers to use Shared Hours before accessing dedicated service hours.
Advocates warn that these cuts could significantly impact individuals with disabilities, limiting access to essential services such as in-home care, job assistance, respite care, and adaptive equipment. (3)
The Maryland Catholic Conference (MCC) strongly supports initiatives that enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities. Ensuring adequate funding is crucial for promoting equity, independence, and meaningful participation in society, including employment opportunities. As Pope Francis reminds us, “Persons with disabilities are fully human subjects, with rights and duties.” (4) Every person has the right to live with dignity, and it is our moral responsibility to uphold that right by preserving the resources they rely on to thrive.
For these reasons, the Maryland Catholic Conference asks for this information to inform budgetary decisions. Thank you for your consideration.
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(1) https://dhds.cdc.gov/SP?LocationId=24&CategoryId=DISEST&ShowFootnotes=true&showMode=&IndicatorIds=STATTYPE,AGEIND,SEXIND,RACEIND,VETIND&pnl0=Table,true,YR7,CAT1,BO1,,,,AGEADJPREV&pnl1=Chart,false,YR7,DISSTAT,,,,,PREV&pnl2=Chart,false,YR7,DISSTAT,,,,,AGEADJPREV&pnl3=Chart,false,YR7,DISSTAT,,,,,AGEADJPREV&pnl4=Chart,false,YR7,DISSTAT,,,,,AGEADJPREV&t=1721749758704
(2) https://marylandmatters.org/2025/02/03/hundreds-of-developmental-disability-advocates-rally-against-dda-budget-cuts/
(3) https://thearcmd.org/policy/
(4) https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-04/pope-francis-address-academy-social-sciences-disabilies.html