Act During Congressional Recess
With the hard work of the disability community, we successfully educated members of Congress, and stopped all of the proposed health care bills! However, there are still a number of ways in which Congress could cut health care and Medicaid. We must not let that happen.
Your Congressional representatives will be on recess and working in their state offices through Labor Day (Sept. 4). We need your help to ensure that lawmakers in both chambers know that you are invested in making sure they do not approve legislation that would cut or cap Medicaid. Please, meet with your representatives, attend a Town Hall or an event or write an op-ed. Let your representatives know that cuts to Medicaid put individuals with disabilities at risk of losing essential services that allow them to live and work in the community. This cannot happen. Help them understand the importance by sharing your personal story.
Key messages:
- Do NOT allow Medicaid to be gutted. Caps and block grants would decimate the program on which people with disabilities and seniors rely for critical healthcare and community services.
- Medicaid must be off the table in any conversation about the Affordable Care Act.
- Any healthcare conversations in Congress must be bi-partisan and done in the regular order, through committees and with hearings.
- Vote NO on any bill that would cut or cap Medicaid, whether it is another healthcare bill, the budget, or a tax bill.
- 10 million people with disabilities rely on Medicaid for critical services that help them live and participate in their community.
- Many people with disabilities are unaware that the services they receive are part of Medicaid. Services funded through Medicaid may be called something else in your state. If you’re a person with a disability and you receive any community-based support, its very likely through Medicaid.
- Eg: nursing and personal care services, specialized therapies, intensive mental health services, special education services, employment supports, and other needed services that are unavailable through private insurance.
- Cuts to Medicaid would force states to reduce services, cut optional services, restrict eligibility, and increase waiting lists.
- The home and community based services (HCBS) on which people with disabilities rely to live and participate in their communities are especially at risk because they are optional and could be completely eliminated.
- People with disabilities will be disproportionally harmed by Medicaid cuts. Services and supports for people with disabilities makes up a significant part of state Medicaid budgets due to their long term care needs.
- Tell your member of Congress to oppose any cuts to Medicaid, Medicare or other programs.
Additional Resources
Recess Guide (Families USA)
Did Your Senators Vote to Protect Medicaid? (The Arc of the United States)