Importance of Medical & SNAP

Hello! I'm Katrina and you've found the Living with Disabilities advocacy website.

Our primary goal is to foster a deeper understanding of the disabled community within society. We work to achieve this by striving for greater acknowledgment of the wide variety of disabilities and conditions that exist.

A fundamental part of this understanding is accessibility, as a lack of it leads directly to exclusion.

This week, our focus is on medical care and food assistance.

    Before we begin, please remember that the Living with Disabilities Advocacy website and podcast are intended for educational purposes only. Host Katrina is not liable for any actions taken without consulting a counselor or healthcare provider. The content and information provided on the site do not substitute professional advice. Always consult your licensed counselor or healthcare provider, taking any action based on the information found here.

🩺The importance of medical insurance for people with disabilities

 It is conclusively vital for individuals with disabilities to stay on their medical insurance due to many factors. With each person managing their disability or condition comes a different story followed by a good reason. Losing their medical insurance can come with some devastating health and financial consequences. 

    The key reasoning why it's important to keep medical insurance:

1.   The extent of coverage

•     Advance care needs: People with disabilities frequently have greater medical needs and sustain higher health protection costs than the general population.  

•  Crucial Treatments: Health care insurance covers are necessary and often complex treatments, medications, doctor visits, specialists, and therapists (Physical, Occupational, Speech Therapy). In absences of, the cost of this crucial care can be financially catastrophic. 

• Preventative services: Constant coverage allows for structured check-ups and preventative care, which is crucial for controlling chronic conditions and preventing more severe, costly health crises down the road. 

    2. Availability of Long-Term Services 

•  The Medicaid's Role: For many individuals, programs such as Medicaid or Medi-Cal in California serves as a primary or even  the sole source of funding for long-term aid.   

• Community Living: The essential purpose of community living services is about providing necessary assistance other than being placed in institutions. This includes providing at-home assistance, personal care, and day programs that help with daily tasks.

• Not Covered by others: Depending on the medical insurance plan, some home care or other services will not be covered according to the plan you are on. Like dental care, vision, and hearing aids. Cosmetic procedures are often not covered by Long-Time Social Service.

     Catastrophic financial protection against major costs 

• Steady or Restricted Income: Numerous individuals with disabilities  reply on steady or restricted financial resources, often coming from benefits like Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income. 

• Preventing financial hardship: In the absence of insurance, for without notice illness, injury, or the loss of essential medical equipment could result in extremely high medical costs, quickly draining a person's savings or other financial resources. 

    4. Specialized Benefits and Ongoing Care

•   Special Needs Plans: Medicare supplies Special Needs Plans that personalizes benefits, provider networks, and coordinates care to support people with chronic health conditions or those who are also enrolled in Medicaid.

• Previously diagnosed medical conditions: Due to protections under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Insurance plans can no longer deny coverage or change larger premiums due to a pre-existing condition. Nevertheless, losing your current insurance and trying to secure new, comprehensive  coverage can still become challenging and risky. 

• Prescribe medication and medical equipment: Insurance is Crucial for helping cover the high costs of prescription medications and durable medical equipment, including wheelchairs, prosthetics, and adaptive technology.  

      😋 Let's now move onto Food assistance, since we have covered medical care.🍇

 The assistance for people with disabilities isn't just a safety net; it's necessary for safeguarding their health, independence, and fundamental rights. Individuals with disabilities often face a dual challenge: They tend to experience higher poverty rates while also dealing with increased living costs due to their medical and support needs.

 Living with Disabilities will share the following section explore why food assistance is especially crucial for this group, highlighting its impact on their health, economic situation, and social well-being.

 1. Disrupting the harmful cycle of poor health and hunger

    Having a disability can worsen food insecurity, and  at the same time, food insecurity can make it harder for people with disabilities to get proper nutrition.

• Addressing long-term medical conditions

    Many disabilities come hand-in-hand with chronic conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension to only name a few. Which requires carefully balanced nutrient-rich diets. Without proper support, individuals often turn to inexpensive, processed foods, which can intensify  their conditions and lead to more medical issues, even  hospitalizations. 

• Avoiding additional conditions

     Knowing the right nutrition helps prevent new health issues that can develop due to an existing disability. For instance, maintaining a healthy weight is essential for someone with limited mobility to avoid pressure sores and further loss of mobility. 

• How well the medication works

  The majority of medications needed for managing disabilities have to be taken with food to work properly or to avoid Unsatisfying side effects. 

 

    2. Navigating specific financial Challenges

    

    People with disabilities face unique financial challenges that make food assistance programs, like SNAP, absolutely vital for their economic well-being. 

• The secondary financial burden

    Having a disability can be expensive, as these expenses for accessible transportation, specialized equipment, and therapies can significantly reduce a household's  disposable income. Food assistance helps free up funds, allowing the household to over those essential medical and accessibility costs. 

• Involvement in the employment

   There are many people with disabilities who are willing to join the workforce program, they often face systemic challenges that limit their employment. Food assistance can help stabilize their situation, giving them the support and security they need to look for or keep a job without the added stress of hunger. 

• Restrictions on asset thresholds and a set income level

        Significant number of people depend on fixed incomes, such as SSI, which often keeps them below the poverty threshold. Food assistance helps bridge the gap between these limited payments and the increasing cost of groceries. 

      3.  Addressing Physical Accessibility Challenges

  

        For mass of people, the challenge isn't solely about affording food, but also about being able to physically access it. Food assistance programs often provide logistical support, such as delivery, which is as vital as the financial aid itself.

• The difficulty in accessing shopping or cooking

     For some People with physical disabilities, fatigue, or cognitive challenges, the following can become difficult for them to manage, shopping and meal preparation can become extremely difficult.

• The Impact of Home-Delivered Meals

    Having programs like Meals on Wheels are key essential because they deliver ready-to-eat, nutritious meals to people who are unable to cook. This not only helps prevent malnutrition for those who have food accessibility but also provides social interaction and Tranquility, Ensuring that their overall well-being is supported.

• Bridging transportation gaps for accessible nutrition

    Individuals with disabilities often cannot drive, and if they live in a neighborhood where there are no grocery stores, accessing fresh produce becomes physically impossible without delivery services or supportive transportation programs.

4. Advancing Independence within the community

    
    The availability of food assistance frequently plays a vital role in determining whether an individual can maintain Independent living or must transition to an institutional facility.

• Living comfortably in One's Own Residence

     For elderly with disabilities, Receiving home delivery meals and snap benefits enables them to remain in their own home rather than relocating to a nursing facility merely because cooking is not an option.

• Building social bond

    Gathering meal programs can become a very superficial program, where senior and individuals with disabilities dine together , help reduce the feeling of loneliness, Which impact mental well-being, for mass of people who are isolated, the meal delivery driver often becomes a primary source of social interaction and a wellness check.     In conclusion, both medical care and food assistance are vital pillars that sustain the well-being and independence of people with disabilities. Consistent medical insurance ensures access to vital treatments and preventive care, put a stop to financial strain and health crises. Meanwhile, food assistance reduce food insecurity, supporting proper nutrition and overall health. Together, these supports break the cycle of poverty and exclusion, fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.

In closing, Living with Disabilities can not leave this article without hearing your voice. Therefore, in what ways can the government policy evolve to better support the health, independence, and dignity of people with disabilities?

Let's keep in mind the meaningful change requires both awareness and your action. By advocating for comprehensive support and inclusive policies, we foster our motto in this community Push "Dis" aside and focus more on the ability here at living with disabilities.

    Living with Disabilities wants you to know that we are here to listen. We understand that your voice is your most powerful tool, so we encourage you to share your thoughts with us. We kindly ask public relations companies with clients to have their clients reach out directly, rather than going through the company, to avoid any confusion during communications. We don't accept third parties. If your client is interested, they should be independent in reaching out to Living with Disabilities. The host, Katrina, would greatly appreciate it. If you are looking for information on how to become a guest, visit the Living with Disabilities website.

    If you need online support, Disability Safe Haven is great for receiving support. The We Care Team is very protective of its members and asks everyone who joins, to have a profile picture and answer the security questions.

    Another online support, Living With Cerebral Palsy, is great for people with cerebral palsy and for family and friends who want to learn more about different types of cerebral palsy and how to support their loved ones who have it. This group has open and closing hours and a 24/7 chatroom. Open and closing hours are based on United States time zones.

    Building friendships can be tough when living with disabilities, but groups like ⁠Disability Fun Club ⁠ provide amazing opportunities to connect. The virtual space create a friendly environment to meet new people, share stories, and enjoy fun group activities together. 

Reference Links
(Medical)

https://koszdin.com/blog/understanding-the-top-4-risks-of-losing-your-disability-benefits/#:~:text=Losing%20disability%20benefits%20can%20have,toward%20safeguarding%20your%20financial%20security.

https://thearc.org/policy-advocacy/medicaid/#:~:text=The%20federal%2Fstate%20Medicaid%20program,and%20work%20among%20their%20neighbors.

https://www.kff.org/medicaid/5-key-facts-about-medicaid-coverage-for-people-with-disabilities/#:~:text=Nearly%20half%20of%20Medicaid%20enrollees,Medicare%20or%20private%20health%20insurance.

https://www.ssa.gov/disability/amount#:~:text=If%20you%20have%20ALS%20(Lou,with%20limited%20income%20and%20resources.

(Food)

https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/snap-provides-needed-food-assistance-to-millions-of-people-with

https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/key-statistics-graphics

https://www.nationaldisabilityinstitute.org/reports/extra-costs-living-with-disability/

https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/

Podcast Link
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1tX1i6Y46sRnubH9ncNbrm?si=Pv5nNCC0SoW2u6B5dceH6Q