In this issue of The New Leaf, we discuss pending and proposed cutbacks in SSI disability entitlement, the attempt to eviscerate legal services programs for the poor and cuts in General Assistance for local county residents. In our next issue we will update you on Congress' efforts to cut $182 billion out of Medicaid (known as MediCal in California) over the next seven years and end automatic entitlement ot Medicaid for SSI recipients, and the status of the restructuring of Medicare which promises to decrease the availability of health care services to the elderly and people with disabilities. Unfortunately, we do not have space to discuss the over $7 billion in proposed cuts in Section 8 and other housing programs for the poor, disabled and homeless; the 73% cut to innovative demonstration mental health programs for adults and children; cuts to the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program, the school lunch program, and child and elderly nutrition programs; the elimination of many vocational rehabilitation and job training programs; proposed prohibitions on the free speech of non-profits (such as this editorial) intended to prevent criticism of Congress; or dozens of other Republican proposals which will decimate the programs and services painstakingly developed over the past four decades to protect this country's most vulnerable people.
For months, millions of people changed their daily lives as they became
engrossed in the O.J. drama. Meanwhile, Congress has been busy ensuring
that the lives of America's poor, elderly and disabled will be far more
dramatically changed for years to come. No doubt some will wonder, when
did this all happen? Let's hope, for the sake of a sane and just society,
that people will remember the answer to that question a year from now when
we again go to the polls to give our stamp of approval - or disapproval
- to this Congress' Attack on America.