Disability Funding Crisis Averted: Hobbs Signs $122M Bipartisan Rescue Package

Arizona’s developmentally disabled community celebrated a significant legislative victory on Thursday with the passage of a critical funding bill aimed at preventing a budget crisis. The bipartisan agreement, which allocates $122 million to the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), was signed into law by Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs after passing through the state House and Senate with overwhelming support.

Kathleen Muldoon, a mother of three and a medical school professor, expressed her overwhelming relief after the vote. Her 11-year-old son, who has cerebral palsy and is both blind and deaf, relies heavily on DDD services. “I feel relieved, and I also feel unsettled,” she remarked, highlighting the emotional toll of the extended legislative struggle that she and others faced during this process.

House Bill 2945 received bipartisan approval, tallying 48-11 in the House and 28-1 in the Senate, with only a handful of far-right Republicans opposing it. The urgency of the situation was underscored by the fact that the DDD was projected to run out of funds by May 1, potentially depriving nearly 60,000 Arizonans with developmental disabilities of essential services.

Despite the positive outcome, advocates like Muldoon and Michele Thorne, cofounder of Care 4 the Caregivers, voiced dissatisfaction with the political maneuvering during negotiations. They are grateful for the support that ultimately emerged but are critical of the tactics displayed by some legislators, particularly members of the Arizona Freedom Caucus.

“I hope that, in the future, if they want to have negotiations with us that they actually do it in good faith,” Thorne said, expressing frustration over the political gamesmanship that overshadowed the advocacy work over the past months. The new law goes into effect immediately, thanks to its emergency provisions, bypassing the usual 90-day wait period.

The funding also includes tighter regulations on the Parents as Paid Caregivers (PPCG) program, which contributes significantly to DDD’s financial strains. The program expanded in recent years, from around 3,000 participants to approximately 6,000, drawing criticism from Republican lawmakers who claimed that it was allowed to grow without the necessary financial oversight.

The legislation sets aside $355,000 for an audit of the PPCG program, aimed at ensuring its integrity and preventing potential abuse. Advocates like Muldoon expressed concern regarding how some legislators perceive the financial support parents require to provide care for their children, pointing out the sacrifices they make in fulfilling caregiving roles.

Moreover, the legislative process has not been without its challenges. Even with the funding secured, many families have experienced the loss of nurses and in-home caregivers who sought more stable employment as the funding deadline loomed. Senator Analise Ortiz, a Democrat from Phoenix, described the entire legislative path as disastrous, highlighting the need for reflection and improvement in future negotiations.

The successful passage of House Bill 2945 serves both as a victory and a reminder of the complexities involved in advocating for essential services for the developmentally disabled community in Arizona. While the battle against potential cuts has been temporarily won, advocates remain vigilant, hoping for a more collaborative and respectful dialogue in the future.