I am the mother of an adult son with severe cerebral palsy. When he turned 21 his pay rate for his nurses dropped substantially. This happens for all those with special needs now starting at the age of 23.  Guess what? At the age of 23 the medical problems of those with special needs do not magically disappear, nor do the duties of the Medicaid provider nurses. The huge gap in pay favoring pediatric cases has made it extremely difficult for those with special needs over the age of 23 to keep nurses. Nurses deserve the same higher pay rate for adult cases as provided for pediatric cases. Adults over 23 should not have this huge discrepancy resulting in many adult individuals losing nursing service. Please sign the petition asking Governor Cuomo for the same higher rate in pay for adult cases in NYS as is given to pediatric cases. Equal pay will improve the lives of numerous families with adult sons and daughters with special needs allowing them to get the nursing services they desperately need. It will also keep so many nurses from leaving adult cases they love for the fair wage they need to make a living. The way the system is right now it is unjust for adults in need of home nursing care in NYS. Makes you wonder if they are trying to force families with adult sons and daughters to institutionalize them. It’s not happening in my family! 
Thank you!