Although it is impossible to predict what the Trump administration will govern, his campaign platform and the Republican's priorities do not reassure disabled people and their families who rely on support from the Care Act and Medicaid.
Disabled rights activists have voiced concerns throughout his election campaign, his threats to repeal Obamacare, block granting Medicaid, reducing ADA enforcement and police accountability are just a few concerns.
Sadly, like many others, their voices have been pushed to the side and the American electorate has voted for an individual who publically mocked a reporter with the joint condition arthrogryposis. An election campaign which has been embodied by hateful messages, misogyny and discriminations will lead many people left with a sense of unease. Below are some of the points which disabled activists are most concerned about.
Repealing Obamacare
Throughout his campaign, Donald Trump has repeatedly promised to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as "Obamacare". The Republican party has full control of both houses of Congress, meaning Trump will easily be able to fulfil his campaign promise.
However, after his meeting with Mr.Obama on Thursday he has reconsidered his calls for an all-out replacement of the Care act. In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, he hints at a possible compromise to keep some aspects of the 2010 law.
In his first interview with since his election earlier this week with the Wall Street Journal, the president-elect said one priority was "moving quickly on President Barack Obama initiative, which Mr.Trump said has become so unworkable and expensive you can't use it".
Trump also comments how Mr.Obama has asked Mr. Trump to reconsider his stance during their first meeting at the White House after the election. Obama's consideration seems to be heard as Donald Trump has said he favours keeping at least two provisions.
President-elect Trump said he favours keeping the prohibition against insurers denying coverage because of patients' existing conditions, and a provision that allows parents to provide years of additional coverage for children on their insurance policies. Saying "he likes those very much".
For now, it seems Trump has done a U-turn on repealing Obamacare altogether. However, the Republican party has never supported the Care act combined with his erratic and inconsistent policy decisions may lead to another rash decision.
Block-Granting Medicaid
Another of Trump's election campaign promises was to ''block- grant" Medicaid or flat annual funding amount. On Trump's website, he claims that nearly "every state already offers benefits beyond what is required in the current Medicaid structure". As part of the reforms, he pledges that governments can have more autonomy over the administration of Medicaid. He claims that this gives the states more incentives "to seek out and eliminate fraud, waste and abuse to preserve our precious resources".
Currently, Medicaid functions as a flexible needes-based insurance program designed to provide health care to as many impoverished people as necessary. It is very unclear how Trump would structure his block-granting plan, his proposal was very unclear. The page entitled "Healthcare Reform to make America great again" claims the "American people have had to suffer under the incredible economic burden of the Affordable Care Act- Obamacare". The reforms rely heavily on free market principles that will restore economic freedom.
It is estimated that the proposed 'block-grant' could easily cause some 30 million Americans to lose health insurance, a significant amount of those who are people with disabilities. A healthcare system based on the principles of free the market will hit the most vulnerable. With many Americans falling further into poverty putting healthcare up for sale is not the answer to a more stable and healthy society.
Reducing ADA Enforcement and Police Accountability
Disability activists have stressed concerned that the next administration could cut back on the civil rights division's resources or change its priorities. The president conducts a significant amount of disability policy through control of various regulatory agencies. The Department of Justice's (DOJ) civil rights division, for example, pursues complaints against employers, business, and other institutions for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act, the 1990 barring discrimination against Americans with disabilities.
Many organisations are sceptical Trump's political appointees to agencies like the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Department of Labor would be committed to ensuring access to benefits and suitable workplace accommodations for people with disabilities.
A Trump backed DOJ could also progress on police accountability to the detriment of people with disabilities - says David Perry, a leading writer on disability issues. As many as half of all people killed by police are disabled, according to Perry's original research for the Ruderman Family Foundation - including Eric Grabber, who suffered from asthma and heart disease. With the problematic situation of police shootings in the USA, the DOJ needs funding and an administration which will actively support their prosecutions. Therefore the DOJ's pursuit of police accountability is a disability rights issue as well.
Many activists will be waiting in anticipation for the appointee of the DOP who has yet to be named. However, if the current selection has anything to go by he will select a conservative individual who will unlikely maintain and fight for disabled peoples' rights.
Moving forward
Protecting people with disabilities has traditionally been a cross-party cause in Congress. We hope this will be continued by both parties and the Republican party is able to keep Trump's regressive policies in check. In the words of Stephen W Thrasher " Hold tight to the ones you love who are sick and differently abled."
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