Hundreds with disabilities and their families rally for Medicaid

IDAHO FALLS -- VO: Hundreds of men and women with disabilities along side their families gathered to take a stand for Medicaid.

SOT: “It’s critical to my families stability,” participant Lana Gonzales said.

VO: A rally was held outside of U.S. Representative Mike Simpson and U.S. Senator Mike Crapo's offices on Memorial Drive in Idaho Falls Monday. Marchers say with the U.S. administrations budget released days ago, deep cuts to Medicaid programs are being made for those with disabilities.

SOT: "It’s a matter of life and death. Without Medicaid people could pass away and how very important it is for our families who could not survive without it,” Gonzales said.

VO: Scott Lynch who is on the Board of Trustees for Bonneville Joint School District 93 said Medicaid cuts affect school districts tremendously.

SOT: "The schools rely on Medicaid because they bill for those services in their schools. It’s such a big help to the schools districts that have Medicaid so they can help these kids in our schools and help them progress," Lynch said.

VO: Lynch said his 11-year-old son who has autism has benefitted from Medicaid services.

SOT: "When he first was diagnosed with autism he was non-verbal for many years, he couldn’t even speak, he couldn’t even say simple words," Lynch said. "Because of the services he’s received through medicaid he’s able to talk, his behaviors have improved dramatically, he’s been able to be in a mainstream, typical classroom."

SOT: “I’m hoping that we can send a signal of just how very important Medicaid is the families that rely on it."

VO: In Idaho Falls, I’m Natalia Hepworth, EastIdahoNews.com