ALBANY, NY (Erie News Now)--SOME ADVOCATES IN ALBANY ARE RALLYING AGAINST A PLAN THAT COULD POTENTIALLY IMPACT MEDICAID PROGRAM SERVICES FOR CHRONICALLY ILL AND disabled INDIVIDUALS.  

 FISCAL INTERMEDIARIES, WHICH ARE PRIVATE AND NON-PROFIT COMPANIES THAT ARE CONTRACTED BY MEDICARE AND MEDICAID TO PAY BILLS, CURRENTLY IN THE STATE OVERSEE CONSUMER DIRECTED PERSONAL CARE SERVICES OR CDPAP.  

CDPAP PROVIDES SERVICES FOR CHRONICALLY ILL AND DISABLED INDIVIDUALS WHO NEED HOME CARE AND OR MEDICAL HELP FOR DAILY ACTIVITIES.  

IN ALBANY LAWMAKERS ARE DISCUSSING TRANSITIONING THE STATE AWAY FROM THE HUNDREDS OF FISCAL INTERMEDIARIES THAT OPERATE IN THE STATE TO ONE.  

MANY ADVOCATES WORRY THIS WOULD RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF PUBLIC FUNDS THAT HELP OPERATE ADVOCACY CENTERS AND DISABILITY LED NON-PROFITS THAT HELP PROVIDE COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES AND SUPPORTS.  

SOME ADVOCATES CAMPED OUT IN THE NEW YORK STATE CAPITOL TO demonstrate HOW IMPORTANT THIS ISSUE IS TO THEM.  

“It was worth it, it was hard trust me it was hard, I transferred to a bench and slept on that, and it was a little chilly. But you know it's worth it when you’re fighting for freedom and justice for our community,” said Anita Cameron, a disability advocate.

CAMERON WAS JOINED BY MANY OTHER ADVOCATES WHO STAYED OVERNIGHT IN THE CAPITOL FIGHTING FOR THIS ISSUE.