Groups challenge funding cuts for developmentally disabled

Possible funding cuts may be in the future for the developmentally disabled causing professionals and families to draw sides in the debate as each compete for the limited funding available for care-providers

Nannie Sanchez wants to live with her mom and be independent She has Down Syndrome and is on a DD waiver which pays for care and therapy

Marla Gavurnik dreams of being a teacher s assistant she also lives with her family

The two young women have taken their fight to public access television trying to garner support for family living as an option for the developmentally disabled

Because of the budget crisis the New Mexico Health Department is considering some cuts to DD waivers Those living with their families don t want to see their funding cut but neither do assisted living providers

The CEO of one assisted living provider told Eyewitness News 4 the level of care each person needs should be considered and says a high functioning person shouldn t require as much money as a person with more needs

State Representative Rick Miera says lawmakers set aside as much money as possible for DD waivers but says it s not enough to prevent cuts

We should take an across the board look and not necessarily single out one or the other said Miera

The New Mexico Health Department is promising to hold public hearings but none are scheduled as of now