Abstract

The Hidden Cost of Budget Cuts

This article presents information regarding the budget cuts in the 1996 budget of the U.S. Thirty-one percent of Medicaid goes to the disabled. The proposed cuts will decimate special education programs in public schools, which last year cost nearly $200 million. New York City alone billed more than $85 million to Medicaid, according to the Council on Great City Schools. But because schools are obligated to provide an equal education to the disabled, which means they must first take care of certain medical expenses, such as physical therapy and wheelchairs, to help children get to the point where they are able to learn the cuts will force strained school districts to starve other essential programs to pay for special education.