Hudson Valley Times: Letter to the Editor - CDPAP is a lifeline
Image courtesy of Larissa Martin
Read the full Letter to the Editor at Hudson Valley Times
Letter to the Editor
Posted Thursday, July 16, 2026
By Larissa Martin, Plattekill
Maybe you’ve seen the headlines: the Department of Justice is suing New York officials and the company hired to run CDPAP -- our most popular home care program.
As a person with multiple disabilities from birth, Medicaid is my only insurance, and I have relied on the CDPAP program for years.
What is CDPAP (the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program)? It’s a state Medicaid program that allows people who need care—called “Consumers”—to hire the caregivers of their choice. It sounds fantastic, doesn’t it? It has given people with disabilities the autonomy they deserve, like everyone else.
But last year, this program was taken from us when the Governor fired all the local companies that managed it and handed CDPAP to one private equity- backed company, PPL. Advocates like me told the Governor about our serious concerns, yet she still went through with this ill-conceived transition.
Look at what it has cost us! Wage theft, nonexistent customer service, fraud, and corruption. Tens of thousands have been driven out of the program.
CDPAP is virtually destroyed by mismanagement and financial malfeasance. It’s all due to Hochul’s lack of listening to the people who are truly affected. And with this DOJ lawsuit, what’s going to happen to me and millions of others and our care?
Governor Kathy Hochul, you had the chance to be responsible and do the right thing, but you clearly chose not to, even with all your power. That is shameful and disheartening on so many levels.
Because of this mess, we now have a massive target on our backs by Trump and his administration. This gives him even more reason to come after CDPAP and get rid of it entirely.
CDPAP has made lives better. In fact, it’s been a lifeline. Please contact Governor Hochul at 518- 474- 8390.