With Storm Clouds on the Horizon, Community Leaders Meet

FACF President and CEO Shelly Kasprzycki opened the community forum with some telling statistics

Proposed Federal cuts will slice community supports, reduce vital services and impact local health care

By Ken DeLaat

Leaders from throughout the county convened Tuesday, May 20th at TrueNorth Community Services as presenters from many local entities shared the harsh reality the proposed cuts to Medicaid and other federal funding would have on our community.
And it wasn’t pretty.
The Forum was titled “Cuts Have Consequences” and the meeting saw a series of facts and figures delivered by leadership from many of the areas to be affected.

Fremont Area Community Foundation President and CEO Shelly Kasprzycki opened the meeting and introduced the speakers. Referencing recent concerns from a philanthropic perspective She also responded to the notion that foundations could make up the losses from the federal cuts.
“If all the private and community foundations in the state pooled their resources to replace the federal money it would last 79 days”

NC RESA Superintendent Blake Prewett spoke to the impact on special education citing the mandated services provided from federal dollars that cover these programs.
“For many students in Newaygo County, Medicaid makes the difference between access and exclusion. These funds allow us to deliver legally required services that support learning, independence, and dignity. Cutting Medicaid would be a direct hit to the educational rights and well-being of children who already face some of the greatest challenges.
“Medicaid funding is essential for ensuring our most vulnerable students receive the services they need to thrive. In Newaygo County, these funds help provide critical supports like speech therapy, physical therapy, and mental health counseling. Without them, students with disabilities would face even greater barriers to success in school and life.”

Corewell Health reported 37% of the county's children are currently covered by Medicaid, Family Health Care President and CEO Julie Tatko pointed out that the cuts would affect not just patients but accessible health care in the community as well, with services needing to be reduced or cut without the support of Medicaid dollars. Jeff Labun CFO of Newaygo County Mental Health reported 2,260 people are currently served by CMH under Medicaid including those who reside in the agency’s 7 adult foster care homes. Without the federal support many services would be unsustainable.

Bev Cassidy of TrueNorth took to the podium to discuss other ramifications of the recent bill. On the front lines of providing safety net services, TrueNorth would experience huge hits to their Hunger Prevention programs, Homeless Assistance Services, After School Programs, and the Heat & Energy Assistance Program that ensures over 1,000 county families stay warm and keep the lights on during times of need.

Kevin Hughes DHD#10 listed the vital Health Department services that would be affected including immunizations, family planning, std services as well as breast and cervical cancer services. Lindsey Lassanske of the Department of Health and Human Services talked about the number of nursing home beds as well as in-home care provided that rely on Medicaid support. A reduction in available beds at nursing homes would coincide with less services aimed at keeping elders in their homes.

The meeting split into small groups to discuss how to address these concerns. The overall consensus pointed to the need of communicating these cuts on the horizon more effectively to the community. To help make people aware of the impact this service-slicing initiative would have on the community as a whole and not just those who receive services. The need to reach out to legislators was also emphasized as well as finding ways to continue to work together as resources decline.
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Newaygo County Board of Commissioners Chair Bryan Kolk was among the attendees.
“My concern with the severe and general Medicaid cuts being considered is the effect it could have on our entire community from providers of services (Gerber Hospital, Pine Medical, Family Healthcare) being able to stay open, to the significant problem of our citizens having to travel to Muskegon or Grand Rapids when so many transportation problems already exist in Newaygo County.”

Following the meeting we caught up with Ms. Kasprzycki.
 “Today, 39 leaders shared concern about looming cuts to federal funding, and the ripple effect it may have on the working poor, elderly, disabled and other families, however  we are encouraged by the partnership everyone present embraced. 
“Someone at the town hall said it well: people hate government and sometimes don’t realize that government is your local office, or housing services, or food programs, or help to cover that electric bill when you are stretched too thin.”

As more of the proposed wave of cuts begin to become reality, she emphasized the importance of taking action.
“Moving forward, the group will be working together to inform our legislators and our donors about how we can stay afloat and keep Newaygo County thriving. That will be more challenging than ever if millions of dollars in health care and program support are lost.”

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