Raleigh, N.C. — A state senator has sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services requesting a moratorium on a policy that will cut the number of hours some parents are paid to care for their disabled relatives.

Sen. Larry Shaw said he sent the letter Tuesday to DHHS Secretary Dempsey Benton following WRAL News' story of Bill and Wayne Hancock.

Bill Hancock takes care of his 25-year-old son Wayne, who is mentally disabled, and fears that he will no longer be able to afford to take care of his son when the new state policy, Implementation 35, takes effect Feb. 22.

Hancock is also concerned that a nursing shortage will prevent his son from getting the care he needs. And that would mean Wayne would have to go into a state facility for treatment.

"To not be able to see my son everyday, I'd die. It would kill me," Hancock said.