July 1, 2025 
Contacts:  Beth Swedeen, beth.swedeen@wisconsin.gov; (608) 220-2924;  Patti Becker, beckerp@clanet.org (608) 240-8503 
Jason Glozier, jglozier@wcilc.org; (608) 422-0525 

Survival Coalition Statement on Senate Passage of Reconciliation Bill Survival Coalition of more than 20 statewide disability organizations issued this statement today in response to the Senate’s passage of a budget reconciliation bill that cuts over $1 trillion in Medicaid and $300 billion in SNAP food assistance in the next decade.  “People with disabilities, their families who provide care, and countless locall businesses that support people with disabilities in their homes and communities have been clear for months that the proposed budget bill will create direct harm. They have been tireless in efforts to educate policymakers on the value and benefit of Medicaid as a cost effective, efficient way to keep people healthy, safe, and connected to their communities and out of costly hospitals and institutions.  Today’s passage of a Senate bill that includes even deeper cuts than the House version feels like an attack on the lives and well-being of Wisconsin’s disability and aging communities. Survival Coalition continues to welcome opportunities to sit down with policymakers on ideas to improve public programs to ensure both quality and cost effectiveness. Today’s vote for steep cuts was not the way. People with disabilities, older adults, their caregivers, families and communities will pay the price.”  

To recap the Senate bill, it would cut more than $1.1 trillion from Medicaid, Medicare and the ACA: all programs that people with disabilities and who are aging need each day.  The bill also cuts 30% or $300 billion from food assistance. More than 45% of Wisconsin’s SNAP participants are people with disabilities.  PDF document

The federal Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a “direct final rule” that will eliminate a long-standing requirement of Section 504 requiring new buildings constructed with federal funds to be accessible to people with disabilities. The Department now calls this rule “unnecessary” and burdensome.” Removing this rule would: 
• Eliminate enforceable accessibility standards for new federally funded buildings.

• Allow renovations that leave out ramps, elevators, accessible restrooms, and more.

• Undermine the civil rights protections of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

According to www.Regulations.gov, the final rule will be effective on July 15 of this year unless significant comments opposing the change are received by this coming Sunday, June 15.

Click both links below and leave a public comment on each (your comments can be the same).

Docket #1 – Go to DOE-HQ-2025-0015 and click “Comment”: https://bit.ly/4kuX2R2

Docket #2 – Go to DOE-HQ-2025-0024 and click “Comment” : https://bit.ly/4mGKgjY

Your comments do not need to be long: You can simply say you oppose the elimination or weakening of the long-standing requirement of Section 504 which requires new buildings constructed with federal funds to be accessible to people with disabilities. You can also share why you oppose the proposal.

Please share widely in your networks.

Press Release (MADISON) – The Survival Coalition of more than 20 statewide disability organizations thanks Governor Tony Evers for his proposed budget including significant investments to improve the lives of people with disabilities across the lifespan.

The Governor’s budget includes a historic, sum-sufficient commitment of 60% state funding for special education to local schools: a move that ensures our local public schools have needed funds to address the growing funding gaps for all kids. Survival Coalition also applauds the Governor’s investment in recognizing much-needed school-based mental health services.

Survival is also glad to see the proposed budget’s critical investments in non-driver transportation funds, community supports to keep children with significant disabilities with their families and out of institutions, and a much-needed increase to investigate abuse and neglect complaints against people with disabilities and more closely monitor 1- and 2-bed adult family homes. People with disabilities  are at 7 times the risk of abuse compared with the non-disabled population. Read full press release.