State CDPAP faces $75 million in cuts

New York may cut $75 million from a program that helps people with disabilities hire aides.

Maria Pellicane's son, 13-year-old Jake, has Cockayne syndrome, which requires extra help and supervision from aides like Natalie.

Medicaid pays for Natalie's help, and she was hired through what is called the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, CDPAP. The program allows parents of disabled children or seniors to hire family members or friends to act as caregivers, instead of a company hiring a stranger.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has proposed changing the CDPAP program and slashing $75 million from its budget.

Long Island Assemblywoman Missy Miller, mother to a special-needs child, demonstrated with others in Albany against the potential cuts. She says the success of CDPAP comes from the familiarly of the aides. Without it, she says the level of care will decrease.

"This is turning your back on the most vulnerable population in New York," Miller says.

Pellicane says the program has worked well and that she hopes Cuomo leaves it alone.

The governor's office tells News 12 that the change in CDPAP will only reorganize the fiscal intermediaries who manage payroll to caregivers. Cuomo pledges that people who receive CDPAP services will not see any reduction in care.