If you are an avid follower of the latest news, then you have probably heard about one the latest sensational headlines to come out of DC lately: the US Department of Education, headed by billionaire Betsy DeVos, presented its budget request for 2020 in Congress earlier this week and included cuts to a program that left many senators (and probably much of the general public) upset. The budget proposal called for the elimination of funding for the Special Olympics to the tune of $17.6 million. The request also includes a 26 percent cut towards special education grants for the states. What does this mean for rare patients with disabilities?
Many legislators and others have responded to these proposed cuts with understandable outrage and anger. However, it is probably the spirit of these cuts that is more angering than the impact that they would actually have, as it is unlikely that they will pass. These cuts, if enacted, would not entirely spell the end of the Special Olympics or special education support. DeVos defended the proposal by claiming that the program receives over $100 million annually in private donations and that the “philanthropic sector” would make up difference caused by the cuts.
It is true that the Special Olympics is a program that is widely respected and receives plenty of donor support. After all, the program includes a total 5 million athletes with disabilities from around the world. Many of these athletes are people that are affected by rare disease. During questioning regarding the cuts, Democratic Rep. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin claimed that the proposed cuts would potentially impact the lives of 272,000 children in the US with disabilities.
It’s hard to believe that these budget cuts would not have a negative effect on the lives of the disabled in the US. Regardless, the rare community should be aware that there is a very low chance that these proposed cuts will gain the approval of Congress. In fact, the Department of Education’s previous two budget requests have also called for cuts in these areas, and each time they have been rejected. Funding for the Special Olympics or special education grants to states is unlikely to change in 2020.
Regardless, perhaps what should be most worrying to the rare community is the spirit in which these cuts are being proposed. The only goal to come from such cuts is simply reducing government spending, and even while this may be useful, it seems rather heartless to place programs for the disabled on the chopping block. These cuts undermine the mission of the Special Olympics to discourage bullying of the disabled and bring about a society where the most vulnerable are supported and uplifted.
This is just one of many examples of the current political atmosphere demonstrating its willingness to reduce support for the vulnerable in the country.
