NEW ULM – With growing concerns that Congress could cute Medicaid funding, Brown County Commissioners passed a resolution Tuesday urging the state and federal legislators to prioritize funding for Medicaid waivers services to support individuals with disabilities.

The resolution stated the commission believed Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers were essential services for the county and should not be cut.

Federal Medicaid and state cuts shift costs to local counties and harm disability services, according to MRCI CEO Casey Westhoff of Mankato. MRCI is one of Minnesota’s largest and most diverse providers of employment, day and self-directed services for individuals with disabilities.

“This is for the adequate funding for and continued need to move forward, for the disabled to chose how they want to live. Your voice will be heard across the county and state,” said MRCI Chief Business & Marketing Officer Tami Reuter.

“In the coming days, Congress will vote to possibly cut Medicaid funding. If the feds cut funding, it is pushed back to the state, who pushes it back to counties and cities,” she said.

Reuter said without funding, there would be waiting lists for disability services.

“Are we going back to institutionalizing individuals like we did in the 1960s?That wasn’t good for anyone. I hope passing this resolution sets the stage. It’s the right time to do this. Thanks for supporting this resolution,” said Reuter.

“Here in Brown County, you’re truly leading by example with (Commissioner) Dave Borchert as MRCI board president and (Commissioner) Scott Windschitl on the Enterprise North board,” said Reuter.

She thanked the board for taking ownership of the New Ulm Elixir building that houses MRCI and Enterprise North.

Commissioner Dave Borchert said he appreciates all the hard work that goes into providing services to those with disabilities.

MRCI CEO Casey Westhoff said without community-based services, people with disabilities remain on long state waitlists for services and may be forced to resort to unnecessary placement in costly environments and not be provided with adequate support for employment services.

“To preserve disability services, we must invest in–not divest from–the Medicaid program. Federal and state decision-makers must preserve Mediaid and ensure people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) have access to community-based services,” said Westhoff.

Resolution passage came on a motion by Commissioner Jeff Veerkamp, seconded by Dave Borchert.