Thousands Could Lose Essential Care: Deadline Looms for New York’s CDPAP Program

New York's Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), a lifeline for thousands of disabled and elderly residents, faces a looming deadline that could leave many without critical in-home care. With just days left to comply with new Medicaid regulations, advocacy groups are escalating their fight—including a major class-action lawsuit—to halt what they call a "disastrous" policy shift.

What’s at Stake?

The CDPAP allows qualifying New Yorkers to hire and manage their own caregivers, often family members, rather than relying on traditional home health agencies. The program supports over 250,000 residents, but new state requirements could disqualify up to 30% of current participants and workers.

• Deadline: October 1, 2024, to comply with stricter Medicaid financial eligibility checks
• Impact: Loss of care for vulnerable populations and income for family caregivers
• Legal Action: Rochester-based Disability Rights New York joins a federal class-action suit alleging discrimination

Why Advocates Are Fighting Back

The new rules require CDPAP caregivers to undergo formal payroll processing through "Fiscal Intermediaries," a move the state claims reduces fraud. However, critics argue it creates unnecessary barriers:

1. Paperwork Burden: Complex documentation may disqualify non-English speakers and those with cognitive impairments
2. Pay Disruptions: Delayed paychecks could force caregivers to abandon their roles
3. Privacy Risks: Mandatory data sharing raises concerns about immigration status exposure

"This isn't reform—it's a dismantling of a system that lets people stay in their homes with dignity," said Carla Castillo of the Upstate CDPAP Coalition.

What Happens Next?

With the October deadline approaching, affected families have limited options:

• File for emergency Medicaid waivers (approval rate below 15%)
• Switch to agency-based care (often with longer waitlists)
• Join the lawsuit seeking an injunction

Breaking Now News will continue tracking this developing story. For updates, check our Health Policy Section.

What Do You Think?

• Should family caregivers be treated like formal employees, even if it reduces flexibility?
• Is the state right to prioritize fraud prevention over access to care?
• Could this push more elderly New Yorkers into understaffed nursing homes?
• Would you support higher taxes to preserve programs like CDPAP?
• Are lawsuits the best way to fight Medicaid changes, or should advocates focus on elections?

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