Talking Points

Update: March 11, 2021

President Biden has signed the latest COVID-19 relief bill, the American Rescue Plan Act, into law. Thanks to your advocacy, the bill includes the dedicated funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) that we have been fighting for since the beginning of the pandemic, along with other important disability priorities. HCBS funding is critical to help individuals with disabilities and older adults remain safely in their home rather than being forced into nursing homes and other congregate settings that have faced severe COVID-19 outbreaks.

For more on what disability priorities are and are not included in the American Rescue Plan Act, check out our fact sheet. More on the bill is also available on our COVID-19 legislation page.

  1. 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.
  2. Cuts to Medicaid would force states to reduce services, cut optional services, restrict eligibility, and increase waiting lists.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Tell your member of Congress to oppose any cuts to Medicaid, Medicare or other programs.