At least some disabled Virginians currently receiving services for a good reason will, in one way or another, fail to clear the administrative hurdles created by this legislation's proposal of a "soft cap" - and the state will ultimately save the money that it intends to save with this proposed change.  The creation of administrative hurdles for this purpose is ethically indefensible even if it might likely yield the desired outcome.  Anyone who has any familiarity with the system as the caregiver/parent of a disabled person has already spent hundreds of hours navigating and troubleshooting the administrative hurdles that already exist - this is just one more brick in the wall that the state is constructing to create a barrier between disabled individuals in need and the services that the state provides.  Simplifying the system and eliminating ridiculously unneeded layers of bureaucracy would save a LOT more money.  But those layers of bureaucracy have influence in Richmond - and overtaxed families trying to manage disabled loved ones do not.

Make no mistake: Lawmakers and state and federal officials will be judged - and found wanting - for making decisions that adversely affect the most vulnerable members of our communities.  Of course the state cannot be expected to do everything, but disguising cost-cutting as administrative red tape isn't fooling anyone.  No one.