This was originally published in Visions, Issue II 2025.
May 1, 2025 –
The future is never certain. This has always been the case for Berkshire County Arc, which has operated with a sound budget for decades through a financially conservative approach and steady growth.
We hear a lot about Medicaid getting cut at the federal level. At a recent legislative breakfast – see page 4 — Berkshire County’s state legislators told the crowd that the state can absorb a large federal cut on the short term, but may not be able to sustain services year after year with significant cuts.
BCArc – like most human service organizations – relies on MassHealth for many of its programs, which is the state’s provider of Medicaid. BCArc is well-positioned for lean times. Our mission will stay the same – enrich the lives of the people we support. We are large, but we can be agile. We are prepared for a change in state funding. We have weathered many storms in 70 years.
We will also continue to stay front and center in Boston with our partners in the Berkshires and our Arc colleagues – 18 Arcs across the Commonwealth.
BCArc is lucky to have the support of its lawmakers throughout the state, and particularly in Western Massachusetts. This is a state that cares about its most vulnerable population. We know they will do their best to fund basic services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and brain injuries. We also know they will face tough choices if Medicaid is reduced significantly.
Meanwhile, we will keep shouting about our most important issues – higher wages for staff who are committed to this work, better transportation services for all of Western Massachusetts, and numerous other related areas that impact the disability community and all of our communities.
Thank you everyone for your interest and support in caring for people with disabilities. When we stick together, we get things accomplished.
Maryann Hyatt
President & CEO
