Updates

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.

Today, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act, which President Biden is expected to sign into law shortly. 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 are often the center of 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.

Over the weekend the House passed a new coronavirus relief bill, the American Rescue Plan Act. The bill includes the dedicated funding for Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) that the disability community has been fighting for since the start of the pandemic. It has now headed to the Senate and we need to make sure this critical funding remains in the bill. 

Please take a moment now to contact your Senators! It’s important that they hear from us about why this funding matters! We have set up a portal you can use to email them directly here. More information about contacting your Senators is also available on our advocacy page. 

For more on what disability priorities are and are not included in the American Rescue Plan Act, check out our fact sheet. You can find more information on passed and proposed COVID-19 bills on our legislation page. 

Join us in a disability community day of action today to encourage your members of Congress to include dedicated funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) in the next COVID relief bill! The budget reconciliation bill the House is working on does include this important funding, but we need to make sure that funding remains in the final bill.

Contact your members of Congress today! You can email and tweet your Senators and Representative directly here. You can also find more information on contacting your members of Congress, including email and call scripts and sample tweets on our advocacy page.

More on the House’s budget reconciliation bill and other recent coronavirus relief proposals can be found on our legislation page.

Last night, the Biden Administration issued an executive order to begin the process of reversing the public charge rule. The public charge rule excludes people from entering the country just because they have a disability and discourages those already in the US from using public benefits for fear of harming their immigration status, including the Medicaid-funded home and community-based services on which many people with disabilities rely to fully participate in their communities.

We have long fought this dangerous and discriminatory policy and commend the Administration’s commitment to reversing it and taking such quick action. Our full statement is available here.

Additional background information on the rule, resources, and media can be found here and the latest on the litigation opposing the rule can be found here.

Last night, the incoming Biden-Harris administration released the first part of its proposed COVID-19 relief plan. It includes many important priorities, including full federal Medicaid funding for administration of vaccines and additional housing and nutrition funding.

It does not at this stage appear to include additional dedicated funding for home and community-based services (HCBS). HCBS funding is urgently needed to help disabled people and older adults live safely in their homes rather than being forced into nursing homes and other congregate settings where COVID-19 is rampant.

You can find the latest on COVID-19 legislation and proposed legislation here and more on advocacy efforts can be found here.

Late last night, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which includes both general government funding and coronavirus relief provisions.

The COVID-19 relief provisions do not include our most pressing priorities, like dedicated funding for home and community-based services (HCBS). The bill does, however, extend funding for the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program for three years, along with spousal impoverishment protections.

For more on the bill, check out our fact sheet. You can find additional section-by-section summaries of the bill and one page summaries here.

A comparison of the Consolidated Appropriations Act and other recent coronavirus relief proposals can be found here.

Congress is working to pass a bill to fund the government, which includes funding for the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program, before funding expires at midnight, and has released the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which also contains coronavirus relief provisions.

The COVID-19 relief provisions include some of our priorities, but unfortunately do not include dedicated funding for home and community-based services (HCBS). HCBS funding is urgently needed to help disabled people and older adults remain safely in their homes rather than being forced into nursing homes and other congregate settings where COVID-19 is rampant. The bill does, however, extend funding for MFP for three years, along with spousal impoverishment protections.

For more on the bill, check out our fact sheet. You can find additional section-by-section summaries of the bill and one page summaries here.

A comparison of the Consolidated Appropriations Act and other recent coronavirus relief proposals can be found here.

Congress is working to pass a bill to fund the government, which includes funding for the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program, before funding expires on December 18. At the same time, a bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives have developed a COVID-19 relief proposal that appears to include some of the disability community’s priorities. It is likely that these two bills will move together.

The COVID-19 relief proposal includes dedicated funding for long-term services and supports, which can be used for home and community-based services (HCBS). However, Republicans are facing pressure to remove this critical funding from the bill so it’s urgent that we push them to keep it. It is especially important to contact the Republican leadership, members of the Appropriations Committee, and negotiators on the bipartisan proposal listed here.

Contact your members of Congress today! Click here to easily email and tweet your Senators and Representative directly. You can also find more information on contacting your members of Congress, including email and call scripts and sample social media, on our advocacy page.

Attempts to include more coronavirus relief in a new spending bill have begun to gain traction and it's critical that disability community priorities be included. A bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives has announced a new coronavirus relief proposal, while Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has circulated his own plan.

Neither proposal addresses the needs of disabled people, and we need Congress to pass a coronavirus relief bill that does, particularly including dedicated funding for home and community-based services (HCBS). 

Contact your members of Congress today! Click here to easily email and tweet your Senators and Representative directly. You can also find more information on contacting your members of Congress, including email and call scripts and sample social media, on our advocacy page.

The US Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments today in California v. Texas, a challenge to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) arguing that the law’s individual mandate is unconstitutional and that because of that, the entire law should be struck down.

A coalition of disability organizations, including CPR, has worked throughout the course of this litigation to represent the disability community and filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court earlier this year, explaining the importance of the ACA for people with disabilities. You can read the coalition’s statement on today’s argument here. More information on the case, including background information and legal filings, can be found on our webpage.

Yesterday, a federal district court judge in Illinois issued a decision vacating the Department of Homeland Security’s discriminatory public charge rule nationwide. Unfortunately, today the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay of that decision, meaning the rule is allowed to remain in effect while litigation works its way through the courts.

Additional background information on the rule, resources, and media can be found here and the latest on the litigation efforts can be found here.

This morning a federal district court judge in Illinois issued a decision vacating the public charge rule nationwide, effective immediately.  This means that the new harmful and discriminatory public charge rule is no longer in effect.  We will keep you updated as the Department of Homeland Security will likely immediately appeal this decision. 

Early this morning, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved Judge Amy Coney Barrett's nomination to the Supreme Court to fill the seat left open by the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The full Senate is expected to vote on her nomination on Monday. Please contact your Senators now and tell them to vote no on her nomination!

Judge Barrett’s record raises significant concerns for the disability community, especially concerning the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the public charge rule. CPR has, along with other disability advocacy organizations, filed amicus briefs in both California v. Texas, the case in the Supreme Court challenging the ACA, defending the ACA and in multiple cases opposing the public charge rule.

You can find more information on Judge Barrett’s nomination, contacting your Senators, and a call script here. You can also email your Senators directly here.

Join us today in a disability community call-in day to oppose the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court to fill the seat left open by the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The confirmation hearings for Judge Barrett begin today, so now’s the time to make our voices heard!

Judge Barrett’s record raises significant concerns for the disability community, especially concerning the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the public charge rule. CPR has, along with other disability advocacy organizations, filed amicus briefs in both California v. Texas, the case in the Supreme Court challenging the ACA, defending the ACA and in multiple cases opposing the public charge rule.

For more information on today’s call in day, including how to call your Senators and a call-in script, check out the Facebook event here. You can also email your Senators directly here.

Last week, the House passed a revised version of the HEROES Act, the COVID-19 relief package it had originally passed in May, as part of ongoing negotiations between House leadership and the White House for a much needed relief package.  Yesterday, President Trump announced a halt to those efforts until after the election, although he has since appeared to backtrack on that.

While the HEROES Act includes the top priorities of the disability community, including dedicated funding for home and community based services, those priorities are not included in the coronavirus relief proposals that the Administration has to date said it is willing to consider. We urge everyone to please contact your members of Congress and tell them that we need relief and we need it now! You can email and tweet your members of Congress directly here and you can also find more information on our advocacy page, including call and email scripts.

You can find a quick comparison of the revised HEROES Act and the Senate’s recent coronavirus proposals here. For more on what is and is not included in the House’s revised bill, check out the list we’ve put together here, which we will continue to update as we review the bill.

Today, CPR joined more than 50 other national, state, and local disability advocacy organizations in a letter sent to Senate leadership and Senate Judiciary committee leadership in opposition to the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court to fill the seat left open by the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Judge Barrett’s record raises significant concerns for the disability community, yet despite her concerning record, her nomination has been extraordinarily rushed. A nomination that, if confirmed, would result in a lifetime appointment, should be considered carefully and given appropriate scrutiny.

Read more on our concerns regarding Judge Barrett’s nomination here.

The House has passed a revised version of the HEROES Act, which it had originally passed in May. The revised bill (also known as HEROES 2.0) is a smaller version of the first HEROES Act and HEROES 2.0 continues to include many of the disability community’s most urgent priorities. We do not expect the Senate to pass this bill as is, and for now, negotiations between House leadership and the White House to develop a compromise that could pass both chambers appear to have stalled.  It remains unclear whether Congress will pass a new relief bill before it leaves on recess.

You can find a quick comparison of the revised bill and the Senate’s recent coronavirus proposals here.  For more on what is and is not included in the new version of the HEROES Act, check out the list we’ve put together here, which we will continue to update as we review the bill.

We encourage everyone to contact your members of Congress to tell them why disability priorities matter! You can email and tweet your members of Congress directly here and you can also find more information, including call and email scripts, on our advocacy page.

On Monday, the House introduced a revised version of the HEROES Act, which it had originally passed in May. The revised bill (also known as HEROES 2.0) is a smaller version of the first HEROES Act and HEROES 2.0 continues to include many of the disability community’s most urgent priorities. If it passes the House, we do not expect the Senate to pass this bill as is, though negotiations continue between House leadership and the White House to develop a compromise that could pass both chambers.  It remains unclear whether Congress will pass a new relief bill before it leaves on recess.

You can find a quick comparison of the revised bill and the Senate’s recent coronavirus proposals here.  For more on what is and is not included in the new version of the HEROES Act, check out the list we’ve put together here, which we will continue to update as we review the bill.

We encourage everyone to contact your members of Congress to tell them why disability priorities matter! You can email and tweet your members of Congress directly here and you can also find more information, including call and email scripts, on our advocacy page. 

Senate Republicans’ new “skinny” coronavirus relief bill, which didn’t include any of the disability community’s priorities, has failed to get enough votes to move forward.

We encourage everyone to please contact your Senators now and tell them to work together to pass coronavirus relief legislation actually meets the needs of disabled people. You can find more information, including call and email scripts, on our advocacy page or you can email your Senators directly here.

Our summary of what disability priorities are and are not included in the bill is available here and for a quick comparison of the Senate’s recent coronavirus relief proposals and the HEROES Act passed by the House, click here.

Senate Republicans have introduced a new “skinny” coronavirus relief bill, the Delivering Immediate Relief to America’s Families, Schools and Small Businesses Act, that is largely the same as a draft proposal of the same name circulated last month.

A vote on the bill, which doesn’t include any of the disability community’s most urgent priorities, is expected as early as Thursday.  We’re urging everyone to contact your Senators now and tell them to make sure any coronavirus relief legislation actually meets the needs of disabled people. You can find more information, including call and email scripts, on our advocacy page. 

Our summary of what disability priorities are and are not included in the bill is available here and for a quick comparison of the Senate’s recent coronavirus relief proposals and the HEROES Act passed by the House, click here.

Senate Republicans have released a new coronavirus relief proposal, the Delivering Immediate Relief to America’s Families, Schools and Small Businesses Act, that fails to address the disability community’s most urgent priorities. The next coronavirus relief bill is still not expected until the Senate returns from recess in September, but Senators need to keep hearing from us if we want our priorities to be included. You can find more information, including call and email scripts, on our advocacy page. 

For more on what priorities are and are not included in Senate Republicans’ latest proposal, check out our summary here. For more on the HEALS Act, the coronavirus relief bill introduced by Senate Republicans at the end of July, check out our summary here and for a quick comparison of this latest proposal, the HEALS Act and the HEROES Act passed by the House, click here.

Today, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals partially stayed the nationwide temporary injunction issued by a district court in New York last month against the Department of Homeland Security’s discriminatory public charge rule. That decision had halted the rule for the duration of the national public health emergency declared by the Trump Administration. This new decision means the rule is now back in effect nationwide, except in the states of New York, Connecticut, and Vermont.

CPR and other disability organizations have filed several amicus briefs in the litigation, detailing the discrimination disabled immigrants may face as a result of the rule. The amicus briefs and the latest on the litigation efforts can be found here. We will continue to monitor the litigation and remain committed to our fight to stop this harmful rule.

Over the weekend, President Trump signed an executive order and a number of memoranda related to COVID-19. However, they do not address the most pressing needs of the disability community, including dedicated funding for home and community-based services. We need to keep pushing the Senate to pass another COVID-19 relief package that addresses our priorities before Congress recesses. You can find more information here, including call and email scripts.

Negotiations on the Senate’s latest COVID-19 relief package, the HEALS Act, have stalled, and if negotiations end and Senators recess without a deal being reached, it’s likely nothing more will be done until at least Labor Day, or possibly later.

You can find information on the HEALS Act package of bills here. For more on what priorities are and are not included in the HEALS Act, check out our summary here and for a quick comparison of the HEALS Act and the HEROES Act passed by the House, click here.

Getting the next COVID-19 bill passed before Congress recesses is at risk. Negotiations on the Senate’s latest COVID-19 relief package, the HEALS Act, may end without a deal before Congress leaves on recess, so we need to keep up our advocacy!

If negotiations end and Senators go home without a deal being reached, it’s likely nothing more will be done until at least Labor Day, or possibly later. What we need can’t wait that long, so please push your Senators not to go home for August recess until a new COVID-19 bill is passed that meets the needs of disabled people. You can find more information here, including call and email scripts.

Rather than releasing the HEALS Act as a single bill, it was released as a series of bills. You can find information on each of those bills here. For more on what priorities are and are not included in the HEALS Act, check out our summary here and for a quick comparison of the HEALS Act and the HEROES Act, click here.

The Senate's new coronavirus relief package, the HEALS Act, fails to address the disability community’s most urgent priorities. We need everyone to take action and push your Senators to include our priorities in the relief package that ultimately passes the Senate, so please contact them now! You can find more information, including call and email scripts, on our advocacy page. 

Rather than releasing the HEALS Act as a single bill, it was released as a series of bills. You can find information on each of those bills here. For more on what priorities are and are not included in the HEALS Act, check out our summary here and for a quick comparison of the HEALS Act and the HEROES Act, click here.

Join us for a call-in day today, August 4, 2020, to push for the inclusion of dedicated funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) in the new coronavirus relief legislation being negotiated in the Senate!

Email and call-in scripts, along with sample tweets, are available here and you can email and tweet your Senators directly using our portal here. The latest updates are available on our Facebook event. Please RSVP and spread the word! We need you to share your HCBS story and encourage others to share their stories with their Senators using the hashtags #HCBS and #WhatWeNeed!

Today, a federal district court in New York issued a temporary injunction against the Department of Homeland Security’s discriminatory public charge rule. This decision stops the rule from being implemented, applied, or enforced nationwide while the national public health emergency declared by the Trump Administration is ongoing.

CPR and other disability organizations have filed several amicus briefs in the litigation, detailing the discrimination disabled immigrants may face as a result of the rule. While today's injunction is cause for celebration, it is temporary, and the fight very much continues. Additional background information on the rule, resources, and media can be found here.

CPR remains committed to fighting to ensure that the needs of all people with disabilities are met during the COVID-19 crisis. Earlier this week, the Senate released a new coronavirus relief package that fails to meet our needs and we need everyone to take action now to get our priorities included in the relief package that ultimately passes the Senate. You can find more information on our advocacy page, including call and email scripts and sample tweets, and can directly email your Senators using our portal here.

The Senate has released a new coronavirus relief package, the HEALS Act, that fails to address the disability community’s most urgent priorities. We need everyone to take action and push your Senators to include our priorities in the relief package that ultimately passes the Senate, so please contact them now! You can find more information, including call and email scripts, on our advocacy page. 

Rather than releasing the HEALS Act as a single bill, it has been released as a series of bills. You can find information on each of those bills here. For more on what priorities are and are not included in the HEALS Act, check out our summary here and for a quick comparison of the HEALS Act and the HEROES Act, click here.

The Senate is expected to release a new COVID-19 relief bill shortly after Senators return from recess on July 20th and we’re working to make sure dedicated funding for home and community based services (HCBS) is included. We need everyone to take action and push your Senators to convey the importance of HCBS funding to Senate leadership, so please contact them now! You can find more information, including call and email scripts, on our advocacy page.

CPR has submitted comments in opposition to Oklahoma’s application to create a Medicaid expansion limited by work requirements, premiums, a per capita cap on federal Medicaid funding, and other harmful provisions, which is the first 1115 waiver application submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for approval using the Healthy Adult Opportunity (HAO) guidance. Approval of this proposal by CMS would set a dangerous precedent that undermines the goals of the Medicaid program.

Comments are due June 27, 2020 and can be submitted through online portals developed by the Arc or NHeLP (for individuals and for advocates) or through CMS’ website here.

You can find more information on CMS’ HAO guidance on our webpage and for more on what it would mean for disabled people, check out our fact sheet.

Today the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision affirming the preliminary injunction issued by the Northern District of Illinois.  The 7th Circuit found the new public charge rule violates federal law, including by discriminating against people with disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (citing the amicus brief filed by CPR and other disability advocates).  Unfortunately, because the Supreme Court in February issued a stay of the preliminary injunction -- meaning that it said the government could implement the rule during the litigation -- today's decision will not have an immediate impact until the Supreme Court reviews the decision on the merits.  

Today, the House passed a new relief package, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act (H.R. 6800). The bill addresses many of the disability community’s most urgent priorities, including additional funding for home and community based services, Medicaid, and housing programs and hazard pay for direct service providers. It has now been sent to the Senate, though when the Senate will take it up remains unclear.

For more on what priorities are and are not included in the HEROES Act, check out our summary here. A section-by-section summary of the bill is also available here. The House Appropriations Committee has also made available a one page summary of bill and a one page summary of state and local fiscal relief provisions.

We will continue to update our COVID-19 pages as we review the bill, so be sure to visit our COVID-19 overview, advocacy, and legislation pages for the latest information.

Today, the House introduced a new relief package, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act (H.R. 6800). The bill addresses many of the disability community’s most urgent priorities, including additional funding for home and community based services, Medicaid, and housing programs and hazard pay for direct service providers.

For more on what priorities are and are not included in the HEROES Act, check out our summary here. A section-by-section summary of the bill is also available here. The House Appropriations Committee has also made available a one page summary of bill and a one page summary of state and local fiscal relief provisions.

We will continue to update our COVID-19 pages as we review the bill, so be sure to visit our COVID-19 overview, advocacy, and legislation pages for the latest information.

Congress has passed legislation to provide additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, coronavirus testing, and other priorities from the CARES Act. A section-by-section summary is available here.

This is interim legislation, not the full relief package that we have been, and will continue to be, fighting for. That next relief package is currently being negotiated and we need your help to make sure disability priorities are included. We need to tell Congress now why the needs of the disability community matter, so please email your members of Congress, participate in the #WeAreEssential campaign, and share your HCBS stories! You can find information on contacting your members of Congress, sample tweets, and an email script on our advocacy page.

Legislation to provide additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, coronavirus testing, and other priorities from the CARES Act, passed in the Senate today and is expected to be voted on in the House on Thursday. You can read the full text here and a section-by-section summary here.

This is interim legislation, not the full relief package that we have been, and will continue to be, fighting for. That next relief package is currently being negotiated and we need your help to make sure disability priorities are included. We need to tell Congress now why the needs of the disability community matter, so please email your members of Congress, participate in the #WeAreEssential campaign, and share your HCBS stories! You can find information on contacting your members of Congress, sample tweets, and an email script on our advocacy page.

The fourth coronavirus response package is being developed now and we need your help to make sure disability priorities are included! To bring the needs of people with disabilities to the attention of Congress and other decision makers, we are asking everyone to please take part in weeks of action using the hashtag #WeAreEssential.

More details on the #WeAreEssential weeks of action can be found here and more details on the fourth package are available on our COVID-19 legislation page.

Congress has now passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which took some important steps to address the coronavirus pandemic and included some disability community priorities, but many critical priorities were not included. We need Congress to do more and will continue advocating for future Congressional responses to this crisis to meet the needs of people with disabilities. More on the passage of the bill and what you can do now to advocate for disability priorities to be included in the COVID-19 response can be found here.

For more on what was and was not included in the CARES Act, check out the list we’ve put together here, which we will continue to update as we review the final bill and for more on the federal response to the COVID-19 crisis and its impact on people with disabilities, visit our COVID-19 webpage.

Late last night, the Senate passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and the House is expected to vote on the bill tomorrow. Some of the disability community's priorities were included in the final bill, but many were not and we will continue advocating for future Congressional responses to this pandemic to meet the needs of people with disabilities.

For more on what was and was not included, check out the list we’ve put together here, which we will continue to update as we review the final bill. For more on the federal response to the COVID-19 crisis and its impact on people with disabilities, visit our COVID-19 webpage.

The Senate has now reached a deal on new legislation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A final draft of the bill has not yet been released, but the Senate has released the text of emergency appropriations provisions and a summary. Some of the disability community's priorities are expected to be included in the final bill, but many are not and we will continue advocating for future Congressional responses to this pandemic to meet the needs of people with disabilities. For more on the federal response to the COVID-19 crisis and its impact on people with disabilities, visit our COVID-19 webpage.

Last night, the House introduced the Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic. The bill addresses many, but not all, of the disability community's priorities. The Senate's Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) introduced last week does not address those priorities and we need to work to ensure it does. Negotiations are happening NOW in the Senate so outreach to your Senators and Senate leadership is critical. More info on contacting your members of Congress and Congressional leadership, an email script, and sample social media can be found here or on our COVID-19 webpage.

Late yesterday, a coronavirus response bill was signed into law that is a great first step, but more must be done to meet the needs of people with disabilities during this pandemic. Another response bill is already in the works, so please ACT NOW to make sure people with disabilities are supported throughout this crisis. More info on how to contact your members of Congress and script can be found here or on our webpage.

The U.S. is facing a pandemic and national emergency with the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, which will have an outsized impact on people with disabilities.  This morning the House passed a bill that is an important first step to addressing the crisis.  The Families First Coronavirus Response Act includes increased Medicaid funding, emergency paid leave, increased funding food assistance, and free coronavirus testing.  We need to Senate to act NOW to pass the bill.  For additional resources on COVID-19 and its impact on people with disabilities and to keep updated about the bill, see here.

The Supreme Court has granted certiorari in the Affordable Care Act case, formerly known as Texas v. US and now known as California v. Texas, meaning that the fate of the ACA is in its hands. However, a decision is not expected until next year, as the Court declined to expedite its decision and hear the case this term. Visit our webpage for more information on the case, including media and resources, and the latest updates.

Today, the Department of Homeland Security’s discriminatory public charge rule goes into effect. The rule will exclude many people with disabilities from this country and discourage those already in the US from using critical public benefits, including Medicaid-funded home and community-based services on which many people with disabilities rely to fully participate in their communities. Now that the rule is in place, it is vital that people understand what the new public charge rule does and does not mean before they make decisions about foregoing critical benefits. You can learn more about the rule here.

Although the rule is now in effect, efforts to overturn it continue. CPR and other disability organizations have filed several amicus briefs in the litigation, which can be found here and for more on today’s implementation, read our alert here.

Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia unanimously upheld the decision reached by a federal district court last year overturning HHS’ approval of Arkansas’ Medicaid waiver, that, among other things, imposed work requirements. The court found that approval of the waiver violated the Administrative Procedure Act because HHS did not consider how the waiver would further “the principal objective of Medicaid,” providing access to healthcare. For more, visit our page on Medicaid work requirements here.

CPR joined Disability Rights California and 6 other disability advocacy organizations in an amicus brief filed today in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in opposition to President Trump’s proclamation issued in October, requiring visa applicants from abroad to buy certain approved health insurance or have the financial means to cover foreseeable medical expenses. Amici argue that the proclamation will not only fail to accomplish its purported purpose, reducing uncompensated care costs, but will do so in a way that illegally discriminates against people with disabilities. More information on the proclamation can be found here.

Today, CMS issued a guidance allowing states to use waivers to block grant their Medicaid expansion population (a large portion of which are people with disabilities), reframing block grants as “Healthy Adult Opportunity.” CPR and other disability advocates have fought against prior attempts by Congress to block grant Medicaid and are very concerned by this latest effort by the Administration.  To read our full statement, click here and learn more about block grants here. 

Today, the US Supreme Court issued a decision overturning the nationwide injunction against the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) public charge rule. The rule will exclude immigrants with disabilities from this country and discourage those already in the US from using critical public benefits, including the Medicaid-funded home and community based services many disabled people rely on to fully participate in their communities.

Today’s decision means that DHS can implement the rule while the Courts of Appeals review whether it is illegal. Allowing this rule to go into effect will serve to spread confusion and fear among immigrant communities and will allow illegal discrimination to go unchecked while litigation is ongoing. Read our full statement here. More background information on the rule and the latest updates on litigation can be found here.

CPR, the ACLU, and 17 other disability advocacy organizations represented by Latham & Watkins filed an amicus brief in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals opposing DHS’ appeal seeking to overturn the preliminary injunction issued by a federal district court in California in October, applying to plaintiff states. Read our full press release here.

For more on how DHS’ public charge rule would affect people with disabilities if it were to become law, check out our fact sheet and explainer on the rule. The latest updates on the ongoing litigation can be found here.

Great news! Today, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals denied a stay of the nationwide injunction of the public charge rule issued by the Southern District of New York in October. This means that the nationwide injunction will remain in effect and implementation of the rule cannot move forward during appeal, despite orders issued by the Fourth and Ninth Circuit last month granting stays of the nationwide injunctions issued by federal district courts in Maryland and Washington. Updates on all of the ongoing lawsuits can be found here.

Today, Congress approved another short-term reauthorization of the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program as part of the minibus spending bill. The deal reauthorizes MFP only through May 22, 2020. While we had hoped for long-term reauthorization now, we understand that Congress hopes to use this short-term extension create pressure for a larger healthcare package before the Memorial Day recess that could include permanent funding for MFP. Read more here.

The Center for Public Representation is extremely concerned by today’s decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in Texas v. US that puts the healthcare of tens of millions of people at risk. The Court ruled that the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is unconstitutional and sent it back in the hands of the district court judge – who has already once struck down the entire ACA as unconstitutional – to decide whether to invalidate the entire law. Read our full statement on the decision here and for the latest updates on the case, please visit us here.

A bipartisan agreement to permanently fund the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program was introduced earlier this month and we need your help to make it a reality. Join us TODAY for a national call-in day and ask your members of Congress to permanently fund MFP, which has helped over 91,000 people with disabilities and older Americans move from institutions back into their communities. RSVP to our Facebook event for more info and don’t forget to show your support and encourage others to participate using #FundMFP! Learn more about MFP here.

Exciting news about Money Follows the Person (MFP): Today Congress introduced bipartisan legislation to permanently reauthorize MFP! This is the first time there has been a bill to permanently fund this important program that provides states funding to help people with disabilities move from institutions back to their communities.  YOUR advocacy for MFP over the last two years has brought us to this point. The bill still must pass the full Senate and House, and we’ll keep you updated as we continue our advocacy to fund MFP. Read more details and keep updated on MFP here.

CPR, the ACLU, and 17 other disability advocacy organizations represented by Latham & Watkins filed an amicus brief in the Second Circuit opposing the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) motion to stay the preliminary injunction issued by the district court last month against the public charge rule.  For more on how DHS’ public charge rule would affect people with disabilities if it were to become law, check out CPR’s new fact sheet and explainer. The latest updates on the ongoing litigation can be found here.

CPR has released new materials detailing what the public charge rule will mean for immigrants with disabilities if it goes into effect. A fact sheet reviewing the basics of the rule and its impact on people with disabilities is available here. A more in-depth explanation of the rule and the lawsuits challenging it can be found here.  For the latest updates on the litigation, click here.

Yesterday, CPR submitted comments urging the State Department to reconsider its efforts to implement a presidential proclamation issued October 4, 2019 mandating that visa applicants abroad buy certain approved health insurance or have the financial means to cover foreseeable medical expenses. The proclamation limits approved health insurance to plans that typically don’t meet the needs of people with disabilities and conflicts with several existing laws, including the Affordable Care Act. A complaint challenging the proclamation was filed in federal court on Wednesday.

Also on Wednesday, the Department of Justice filed notices of appeal in eight of the nine cases challenging the Department of Homeland Security's public charge rule (a decision in the Baltimore case has been deferred in light of the injunctions in other cases). Injunctions were issued in each of those cases last month halting implementation of the rule.

For updates on litigation and advocacy efforts against the presidential proclamation and the public charge rule, please visit us here.

Federal courts stop the public charge rule!  The Center for Public Representation celebrates the nationwide preliminary injunctions issued today by federal courts in New York (which can be read here and here), Washington state, and Maryland preventing the Administration from implementing its cruel and discriminatory public charge rule and finding the rule could discriminate against people with disabilities.  These decisions are a clear victory for disabled immigrants and their families.  In addition, federal courts in California and Illinois issued limited preliminary injunctions, preventing the rule from going into effect in the plaintiff states.  Read our full statement here and for the latest updates on all of the ongoing litigation, please visit us here.  

The Center for Public Representation, American Civil Liberties Union, and sixteen other national disability advocacy groups filed an amicus brief in support of litigation to stop the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from implementing its new “public  charge” rule.  Twenty-one states, led by California, Washington, and New York, have filed cases against the Trump Administration to block the new rule.  The advocacy groups – representing tens of thousands of people with disabilities and their families across the country – claim that the new public charge rule will prevent people with disabilities from entering this country or becoming legal residents in violation of federal disability law.  Read our full press release here and keep updated on the new rule and litigation to stop it here.

On August 12, 2019, the Department of Homeland Security announced that it had finalized the "public charge" rule.  The final public charge rule, like the proposed rule, will be devastating to -- and explcitly discriminates against -- people with disabilities and their families who are seeking to enter the U.S. or applying for a green card.   Read CPR's statement condemning the pubic charge rule rule.  Several lawsuits have already been filed challenging the final rule.  The public charge rule will become effective on October 15, 2019, if litigation doesn't prevent the rule from going into effect.   Learn more about the final rule at the Protecting Immigrant Families Coalition website, and keep checking back here for updates.   

The Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a new proposed rule that would significantly weaken the current rules interpreting Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The proposed rule would severely weaken all of the ACA’s anti-discrimination protections for everyone, including people with disabilities. For an analysis of all of the changes proposed to Section 1557, see this Q&A from the National Health Law Program and this explainer from the Consortium on Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) about impacts on people with disabilities.  More information and resources on the proposed rule is here. The public has until August 13th to submit comments. It is critical that you make your voice heard opposing these rollbacks in the ACA’s anti-discrimination protections. To submit a comment directly to the federal register, click here and follow the instructions on the page.  Here are model comments for disability advocates from CCD, model comments from Justice in Aging (scroll down to the bottom of the page), and model comments (scroll down to the middle of the page) from Protect Trans Health.

The Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a new proposed rule that would significantly weaken the current rules interpreting Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  Section 1557 prohibits discrimination by health programs or facilities that receive federal funds from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.  The public can submit comments before August 13th.  It is critical that you make your voice heard opposing these rollbacks in the ACA’s discrimination protections. For an analysis of all of the changes proposed to Section 1557, see here.  To submit a comment directly to the federal register, click here and follow the instructions on the page. 

On July 9, 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit will hear oral argument in Texas v. United States, the lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The appeals court is reviewing a federal trial court’s decision striking down the entire ACA as unconstitutional, including its protections for people with pre-existing conditions. This would be devastating to people with disabilities.  The Supreme Court will likely make the ultimate decision in this case, and the ACA remains in place during the lawsuit. Learn more about the case here and how you can get involved here. 

Thanks to your advocacy, last night the House passed H.R. 3253, the Empowering Beneficiaries, Ensuring Access and Strengthening Accountability Act.  This bill funds the Money Follows the Person program through Fiscal Year 2023.  It also extends the HCBS spousal impoverishment protections through March 31, 2024.  We now need the Senate to act to #FundMFP!  Join our national call-in day and ask your Senators to #FundMFP.  We have a Facebook event with talking points to make it easy for you to call and spread the word.     

On May 1, 2019, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a brief on behalf of the Trump Administration in the lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  DOJ for the first time argued that the entire ACA should be struck down, including the protections for people with pre-existing conditions, rather than just the “individual mandate” to have insurance.  Last month, a number of disability organizations, including CPR, filed a brief describing the importance of the ACA to people with disabilities. This case will likely be decided late this summer, and then head to the Supreme Court in the fall.  The ACA remains in effect during the lawsuit. To learn more about the case and other attacks on the ACA, please click here.

Thanks to your hard work,  H.R. 1839, the Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act is now law.  This bill adds additional short-term funding to the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program to and extends the expiring spousal impoverishment protections for people receiving Home and Community Based Services through September 2019.  We will continue advocating for long-term funding for the MFP program through the EMPOWER Care Act.  Learn more about EMPOWER Care Act and how you can help here. 

Thanks to your hard work, Congress has passed H.R. 1839, the Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act, and it now moves on to the President’s desk.  This bill adds additional short-term funding to the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program to and extends the expiring spousal impoverishment protections for people receiving Home and Community Based Services through September 2019.  We will continue advocating for long-term funding for the MFP program through the EMPOWER Care Act.  Learn more about EMPOWER Care Act and how you can help here. 

Thanks to your hard work, last night the House passed H.R. 1839, the Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act.  This bill adds additional short-term funding to the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program to fully fund it through September 2019 and extends the expiring spousal impoverishment protections for people receiving Home and Commnity Based Services also through September 2019.  We expect the Senate to take up the bill this week.  We will continue advocating for long-term funding for the MFP program through the EMPOWER Care Act.  Learn more about EMPOWER Care Act and how you can help here. 

New versions of the EMPOWER Care Act extending the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program for five years were introduced in February in the House (H.R. 1342) and Senate (S. 548). Thanks for participating in yesterday's National Call-In Day for Community Living to fund MFP. You can still call to ask your members of Congress to become co-sponsors and support these bills to help people with disabilities get out of institutions and live in the community! Learn more about MFP bills here. 

Today, thanks to advocates like you, H.R. 259, the Medicaid Extenders Act, the short-term Money Follows the Person (MFP) Program and spousal impoverishment protections extension bill, was signed into law.  The Act provides three months of MFP funding (states have until Sept 31, 2019 to spend it) and extends the HCBS Medicaid spousal impoverishment protections until March 31, 2019.  We’ll keep working for a longer extension, since it's only short-term, but for now, we celebrate the victory and thank you for your hard work!

Thanks to your hard work, Congress just passed the Medicaid Extenders Act of 2019, a bill that includes an extension of Money Follows the Person program and the spousal impoverishment protections for people receiving home and community based services.  While this is only a short-term extension it will give us momentum as we work with members of Congress for a longer extension of these critical programs.  Keep updated on our efforts to fund MFP in the 116th Congress here. 

Today, CPR was proud to celebrate the reintroduction of the Disability Integration Act (DIA) in the U.S. House and Senate with our disability and aging advocacy colleagues.  The DIA is a bipartisan proposal to ensure the full integration of people with disabilities in the community.  Learn more about the DIA here. 

Unfortunately, efforts to extend Money Follows the Person (MFP) were not successful in the last Congress.  Provisions to provide short-term funding for MFP (and Medicaid HCBS spousal impoverishment protections) were included in separate budget bills that passed the Senate and House late last year.  But the Senate and House could not agree on a funding bill, leading to a government shutdown.  In the new Congress,  MFP and the spousal impoverishment protection were included in the Budget bill that passed the House last week.  This bill is not likely to pass the Senate.  We are continuing to advocate that funding for MFP be included in any budget bill that eventually passes both the Senate and House to re-open the government.  In addition, today the House passed he Medicaid Extenders Act of 2019, a bill that includes an extension of MFP and the spousal protection policy.  We will continue to update you on efforts to fund MFP in the 116th Congress.  More on MFP can be found here. 

Earlier this week, the Senate passed a continuing resolution (CR) that includes a provision to renew Money Follows the Person (MFP) program funding for three months, and extends spousal impoverishment protections to Medicaid HCBS participants.  However, the House passed a different version of the CR with funding for a border wall, which is not expected to pass in the Senate. Congress has until midnight  to pass a spending bill to avoid a partial government shutdown. Renewing MFP for three months gives the program a needed bridge into the new Congress in 2019, when we can advocate for a longer renewal. As of Friday evening, it's unclear if a CR, with these two important Medicaid provisions, will pass before midnight, or before the spousal impoverishment protections expire at the end of 2018 (h/t to Justice in Aging). Unfortunately, the IMPROVE Act is not longer a viable option at this time.  Please let your Members of Congress know that it's crucial to get this done before the end of the year. More on MFP here.  

Last week, the House passed H.R. 7217, the IMPROVE Act, a bill that includes provisions that renew the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program for three months, and extends spousal impoverishment protections to Medicaid HCBS participants.  We continue to push forward on this path in the Senate. A continuing resolution (CR) filed this week also includes a provision to renew MFP funding for three months, and extends spousal impoverishment protections.  The CR passed yesterday, with a vote in the House expected soon. Congress has until midnight Friday to pass this CR to avoid a partial government shutdown. So the CR is a second path for funding MFP and the spousal impoverishment provisions. Renewing MFP for three months gives the program a needed bridge into the new Congress in 2019, when we can advocate for a longer renewal. Please let your Members of Congress know that it's crucial to get this done before the end of the year. More on MFP here.

Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the IMPROVE Act, (H.R. 7217), which includes a provision to renew the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program for three months, and extends spousal impoverishment protections to Medicaid HCBS participants. We expect a vote in the Senate will follow soon. By renewing MFP for three months, the IMPROVE Act gives the program a needed bridge into the new Congress in 2019, when we can advocate for a longer renewal. Thanks for your hard work! And act now to ask your Senators to vote YES to help people with disabilities live in the community! Learn more about MFP here. 

The proposed public charge rule discriminates against immigrants with disabilities and their families trying to enter the U.S. (get a visa) or get a green card (become a permanent resident). It is critical that your make your voice heard and oppose this rule! Check out these resources to help you submit comments by December 10th.  Here's a link to help you comment on the rule. Remember to individualize the comments about why you care about the rule and how you or someone you know will be impacted. For state and local grassroots organizations, check out these Template Comments Regarding Public Charge and Disability to use as a starting point for comments. Learn more about the public charge rule and what it means for people with disabilities with this grassroots explainer and a more detailed info sheet.  And check back for here for general information and updates on the public charge rule. 

The public charge rule will discriminate against immigrants with disabilities and their families trying to enter the U.S. (get a visa) or get a green card (become a permanent resident).  In collaboration with the disability community, Protecting Immigrant Families will focus this week on Health, Aging, and Disability as part of a broader campaign to unite public opposition and stop this rule.  Learn more about the public charge rule and what it means for people with disabilities with this grassroots explainer and a more detailed info sheet.  Here’s a link to help you comment on the rule.  Here’s a Social Media Toolkit to help you spread the word and encourage friends and family to comment on the rule.  Join us and other disability advocates on twitter on Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at 2pm EST to #ProtectFamilies and help get the word out.  Check back for here for updates on the public charge rule. 

This morning the Department of Homeland Security published the "public charge" proposed rule.  The rule would discriminate against immigrants with disabilities and their families seeking to enter the U.S. or get a green card.  Many people with disabilities and their families rely on programs that the new rule would use as a basis for excluding them, including Medicaid (which is the only source for the many disability services not covered by private insurance), as well as food and housing assistance. The new rule will discourage families from using these critical public services for fear of harming their immigration status. It is critical that the disability community speak out against this devastating rule during the public comment period, which begins today and runs through December 10, 2018. Read CPR's opposition statement, check back for here for updates and visit Protecting Immigrant Families for more information. 

The Department of Homeland Security has released a new “public charge” rule that would discriminate against people with disabilities and their families seeking to enter the U.S. or become U.S. citizens.  Many people with disabilities and their families rely on programs that the new rule would use as a basis for excluding them, including Medicaid (which is the only source for the many disability services not covered by private insurance), as well as food and housing assistance. The new rule would cut off these supports for immigrant families, or discourage families from using these critical public services for fear of harming their immigration status. It is critical that the disability community speak out against this devastating rule during the forthcoming public comment period.  Check back for here for updates and visit Protecting Immigrant Families for more information. 

Thanks to your work, the EMPOWER Care Act, H.R. 5306, a bill funding Money Follows the Person (MFP) passed out of the House Energy & Commerce committee last week! This is another key step toward helping people living in nursing facilities and other institutional settings move back into their community! The current House bill reauthorizes the program for a year. One year is better than none, but we will continue to advocate for a longer time.  Support MFP by educating your members of Congress about the importance of MFP and the need for it to be reauthorized immediately. You can call the main Capitol line at: (202) 224-3121 (voice) or (202) 224-3091 (TTY).

Thanks to your work, the EMPOWER Care Act, H.R. 5306, a bill funding Money Follows the Person is being marked up in the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee today! This is an important step toward helping people living in nursing facilities and other institutional settings move back into their community! Contact your House Members to ask them to support and co-sponsor the bill. You can call the main Capitol line at: (202) 224-3121 (voice) or (202) 224-3091 (TTY).

Thanks to your efforts, a bill delaying Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) for a year passed!  The bill was signed by the President on July 30, 2018, delaying the deadline for a state to implement an EVV system or lose a percentage of Medicaid funding for one year. A delay will give advocates more time to address the significant concerns with EVV and its potential impact on people with disabilities.  We will keep you updated on next steps.

There is a lot happening this week!  Keep updated about legislation to delay Electronic Visit Verification, attempts to roll back pre-existing condition protections, including a lawsuit where the government has argued that it’s “unconstitutional” to prevent insurance companies from discriminating against people with preexisting conditions, and legislation related to work requirements.  More on other current issues we are watching here.

Thanks to your efforts, a bill delaying Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) for a year was passed in the House last week. A delay will give advocates more time to address the significant concerns with EVV and its potential impact on people with disabilities.  We'll keep you informed about what happens next in the Senate. Learn more about EVV here.  

Thanks to your efforts, a bill delaying Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) for a year was passed in the House last week. A delay will give advocates more time to address the significant concerns with EVV and its potential impact on people with disabilities.  We'll keep you informed about what happens next in the Senate. Learn more about EVV here.  

Celebrate the 19th Anniversary of the Supreme Court's landmark #Olmstead decision by joining our Call-in Day on June 22, 2107 to #FundMFP! Ask your Members of Congress to cosponsor the EMPOWER Care Act!

The Supreme Court in Olmstead recognized the right of people with disabilities to live, work, and participate in their communities. Money Follows the Person (MFP) helps people move out of nursing homes and institutions into their communities. MFP and the EMPOWER Care Act make Olmstead a reality for people with disabilities and seniors. 

Learn more here.

We know it can be hard to keep up with everything that's happening so we created a page to give you a few quick facts and updates about the most pressing issues. 

To learn more about what we're watching -- including Medicaid work requirements, a bill to reauthorize Money Follows the Person, and a forthcoming rule that will harm people with disabilities trying to become U.S. citizens, visit the new Current Issues page.

On Wednesday, April 25, 2018, the House Energy and Commerce Committee is planning to mark up a bill that would allow Medicaid funds to be used for inpatient services in psychiatric institutions called Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMDs). Although the bill is aimed at combating substance use disorders, it also would require states to fund unnecessary institutional care at the expense of expanding critical community-based mental health services. Read our letter on the issues here.

The Fiscal Year for 2018 (FY18) began on October 1, 2017, but Congress had failed to pass a budget to authorize spending on any government programs. As a result, there were two government shutdowns while the House of Representatives and the Senate tried to negotiate funding levels. Six months later, the Congress passed a massive bill to fund the federal government for FY18, which the President signed on March 23, 2018 to make it into a law. This omnibus bill combines and consolidates many separate appropriations, funding the federal government through September of 2018. Many programs for people with disabilities received increased funding for the rest of this fiscal year, but all of these programs are in serious jeopardy for next year. Read More.

On Friday, Rep. Guthrie and Dingell introduced the EMPOWER Care Act in the House (H.R. 5306) as a companion to the bill in the Senate (S. 2227).  The EMPOWER Care Act would re-authorize the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program, which has expired.  MFP has helped more than 75 thousand people with disabilities and seniors move from nursing homes and other institutions to the community.  Call your members of Congress to ask them to cosponsor and pass the EMPOWER Care Act as part of the March 23rd budget. 

Your actions in early February to ask the Senate to #fundMFP made a big impact, and now it is time to once again take action to make the EMPOWER Care Act law!

The Money Follows the Person (MFP) program is a Medicaid program that has helped more than 75 thousand people with disabilities and seniors move from nursing homes and other institutions to the community.  The MFP program has expired, and we need your advocacy to get the House and Senate to support the EMPOWER Care Act and pass it as part of the March 23rd budget. 

ACT NOW: 
Join in our national call-in day on Wednesday, March 7th.
Participate in our social media day on Thursday, March 8th.

Federal funding to the states for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) expired on September 30th, 2017, which marked the end of fiscal year 2017. Without this federal funding, some states were unable or unwilling to keep the program running, posing a major threat to the future of CHIP. In order for the program to continue as is, Congress needed to pass legislation that would reauthorize funding to the program.

On January 22, 2018 CHIP was reauthorized for six years when Congress passed an extension to the federal budget. This six year reauthorization was then extended to ten years on February 8, 2018 when Congress passed the budget bill. Thanks to tremendous advocacy efforts, this bipartisan decision will allow millions of children to continue receiving the medical insurance that they need

Learn more about CHIP here. 

The Money Follows the Person (MFP) program is a Medicaid program that has helped more than 75 thousand people with disabilities and seniors move from nursing homes and other institutions to the community.  The program has expired, and we need your advocacy to get Congress to pass the EMPOWER Care Act to continue it.  Join in our national call-in day (Feb. 1) and social media day (Feb. 2) to #FundMFP.  Everyone deserves the opportunity to live in the community!

Today Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.  We are of course disappointed that we were not ultimately able to stop this bill.  But because of your advocacy, many of the most harmful tax provisions for people with disabilities were not included in the final bill.  We remain concerned that Congress will next turn to cutting Medicaid, Medicare and other critical programs to pay for the tax bill.  But again, your efforts to educate members of Congress and the public about how important Medicaid is to people with disabilities will help us in the next fight.  Thank your hard work, and rest up for what's ahead.

You can get more information on the final bill here or in this chart of major provisions here.

The House is voting on the final bill early this afternoon, and the Senate may vote as early as late this evening.  The final tax bill still has harmful provisions to people with disabilities and, even more concerning, still reduces revenue by over $1.4 trillion which Congress has said will be paid for with cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and other important programs.  Despite all our advocacy, all reports are that Congress has the votes to pass the bill.  It is critical that Congress continue to hear that we strongly oppose this bill and will fight any cuts to Medicaid and other programs to pay for it.  Please continue to call, email, tweet, and visit your members of Congress, as well as join in events.  Here is a list of key targets.

Learn more about the bill here. 

Last night, a final bill was passed out of the conference committee.  The House has scheduled a final vote on Tuesday, and the Senate will follow shortly thereafter.  The final tax bill still has harmful provisions to people with disabilities and, even more concerning, still reduces revenue by over $1.4 trillion which Congress has said will be paid for with cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and other important programs.  Despite all our advocacy, all reports are that Congress has the votes to pass the bill.  Nonetheless, it is critical that Congress hear that we strongly oppose this bill and will fight any cuts to Medicaid and other programs to pay for it.  Please join in Monday's national disability call in day and Thunderclap.

Learn more about the bill here. 

The Senate and House have each passed versions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). The House and Senate conference committee is meeting this week to reconcile the two versions of the tax bill and we expect a final version of the bill this Friday or next Monday.  Voting in the House and Senate will likely start early next week.

WE STILL HAVE A CHANCE TO STOP THIS #TaxOnDisability. We need to act NOW!

It's absolutely essential that your Senators and Representatives hear from you now!  We need everyone to call, write, engage in social media, and attend events.  Here is a list of key targets in the Senate and House.  With your advocacy, we still have a chance to stop this bill!

Please join and share next Monday's National Call-In Day.

Learn more about how this bill harms people with disabilities here.

Join in tomorrow's national disability call in day!  The House and Senate conference committee are meeting this week to reconcile the 2 versions of the tax bill they passed.  That means that every harmful provision in either bill is on the table.  It's absolutely essential that your Senators and Representatives hear from you now!  We need everyone to call, write, engage in social media, and attend events.  Here is a list of key targets in the Senate and House.  With your advocacy, we still have a chance to stop this bill!

Learn more about how this bill harms people with disabilities here.

The House and Senate are setting up a conference to reconcile the 2 versions of the tax bill they passed.  That means that every harmful provision in either bill is on the table.  And that we have at least a few more days to advocate against this bill.  It's absolutely essential that your Senators and Representatives hear from you now! We need everyone to reach call, write, engage in social media, and attend events.  Here is a list of key targets in the House.

Learn more about how this bill harms people with disabilities here.

At 2 am this morning, the Senate passed their tax bill.  Thank you to everyone who fought so hard against this bill that will hurt people with disabilities and pave the way for massive cuts to Medicaid and other programs on which people with disabilities rely.   It's absolutely essential that your Representatives in the House hear from you now! The House may vote as early as Monday afternoon on this bill -- until then we need you to call, write, engage in social media, and attend events.  Here is a list of key targets in the House.

Learn more about how this bill harms people with disabilities here.

Yesterday the Senate began debate and votes on their tax bill.  A number of Senators remained concerned (mostly about the impact of the bill on the deficit) so Senator McConnell scheduled the vote for late this morning (although this could slip).   It's absolutely essential that your Senators hear from you now!  

Learn more about how this bill harms people with disabilities here.

The Senate's tax bill was passed by the Budget Committee yesterday and the Senate will begin offering and debating amendments today. We expect a full Senate vote as early as Thursday or Friday. It's absolutely essential that your Senators hear from you now!

If you haven't already please invite friends and family to join people with disabilities, our families, and advocates around the country today for a national call-in day: No Tax on Disability!

Learn more about how this bill harms people with disabilities here.

The Senate is moving quickly on its tax bill, with a vote possible as early as Thursday.  It's critical that your Senators hear from you now.  

Join people with disabilities, our families, and advocates around the country on Wednesday, Nov. 29th, for a national call-in day: No Tax on Disability!

Learn more about how this bill harms people with disabilities here.

Congress is on recess from November 18th - 26th and the Senate is expected to vote on the tax bill as early as next Thursday.  This bill contains provisions that disproportionally harm people with disabilities and repeals the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act.  Most concerningly, it's a step toward massive cuts to Medicaid. And its all to pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.

Your representatives are home this week and it's critical that they hear from  you!

Please call, email, write, or explore other ways to take action.

Today the House voted and passed their tax bill. The Senate is expected to vote shortly after Thanksgiving. If the Senate bill passes there will be a conference negotiation between the two chambers over the final legislation. Both bills still include massive tax cuts for corporations and wealthy individuals - dramatically reducing revenue and leaving Medicaid vulnerable to cuts and caps and causing automatic cuts to Medicare. Both bills contain tax provisions that hurt people with disabilities. And now the Senate has added repeal of part of the Affordable Care Act, causing the loss of insurance by millions and increases in premiums.  

Your action today is critical. Find way to take action or learn more about the bills.

Yesterday afternoon a repeal of the individual mandate to obtain health insurance was added to Senate tax bill - potentially leaving hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities without insurance and increasing premiums for those purchasing coverage on the exchange.

The Senate and House bills both still contain massive tax  cuts  that will reduce the amount of revenue available to states to pay for Medicaid, leaving Medicaid vulnerable to cuts and caps. The bills eliminate a number of tax deductions and credits that help people with disabilities.  Bottom line, these bills would be disastrous for people with disabilities.  You can learn more about the bills here.

Please take action today and let your representatives know that eliminating the revenue necessary to fund Medicaid is unacceptable.  This bill is moving quickly -- with a likely vote in the House this week and in the Senate right after Thanksgiving.

Late last week, House Republicans released their tax bill.  Hearings on the bill start today.  Here is a section by section summary.  The good news is that thanks to your strong advocacy over the last six months, the bill does not directly contain cuts to Medicaid, at least for now. However, there are two continuing risks to Medicaid.  Cuts to Medicaid could be added in the bill if some of the revenue-generating tax provisions are taken out due to opposition.  Or, cuts to Medicaid will likely come on the heels of passage of this tax bill.  President Trump and Republican leadership in the House and Senate have all said that Medicaid must be cut to address the existing federal deficit, and this tax bill would increase the deficit by an additional $1.5 trillion.  The recent budget proposed by the President and passed by both the House and Senate proposed more than $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts (and nearly $500 billion from Medicare).  Read more about the tax bill’s threat to healthcare here and a statement from the Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities here.

We are working to identify tax provisions that could harm people with disabilities.  Some provisions we are concerned about include the elimination of the medical expense deduction, which allows people to deduct catastrophic medical expenses (read more here and here); repeal of the work opportunity tax credit (which gives employers a credit for employing people with disabilities and others, more info here); and repeal of the “orphan drug credit,” which incentivizes drug companies to develop drugs for rare diseases (read more here).    

Finally, the rushed partisan reconciliation process continues to be a major concern.        

Yesterday, the House adopted the 2018 Budget Resolution that had been passed by the Senate.  This budget resolution paves the way for Congress to enact massive tax cuts over the next decade that will cost up to $1.5 trillion and leaves Medicaid and other disability programs vulnerable to cuts. (Congress has stated that they plan to pay for these costs with cuts to programs like Medicaid). The resolution also allows Congress to pass these massive tax cuts with a simple majority vote.  It's unclear when and how Congress will begin slashing programs to pay for these tax cuts but when they do Medicaid will be on the chopping block. 

We'll keep you updated as we learn more, but for now, please contact your representatives and make sure they know that cuts to Medicaid are always unacceptable, whether today, tomorrow, next month, or next year. 

Medicaid is once again under attack. As anticipated, last night the Senate passed the Budget Resolution. The Budget Resolution was passed on a partisan basis, with all Republican Senators other than Senator Paul voting for the Resolution and all Democratic Senators voting against it.  This Budget resolution lays out the plan for Congress on tax reform and a vehicle to pass legislation by a simple majority (meaning only 50 votes in the Senate).  Specifically, Congress plans to give tax cuts for the wealthy and large corporations funded by cutting critical healthcare programs including Medicaid and Medicare.   

We need to mobilize. It is time to educate your members of Congress on the importance of Medicaid. Contact your member of Congress and tell them your story. Tell them that Medicaid saves lives. Ask them to #SaveMedicaid and to #ProtectOurCare by voting NO to any legislation that would cut, cap or otherwise limit Medicaid. 

• 2018 Budget Resolution Process 

The Senate is expected to vote on the 2018 budget resolution today or tomorrow. This is the beginning of a process that will eventually enable Congress to pass tax cuts for the wealthy, and which will force deep cuts to various safety net programs. We are very concerned that this will include cuts to Medicaid and other essential services for people with disabilities. Although we expect this vote will pass, it is a critical time to remind your Senators on the importance of Medicaid for people with disabilities .

The President is also attacking the Affordable Care Act. While these attacks are not directly on Medicaid, they will nevertheless impact people with disabilities. We need to continue educating members of Congress on the importance of Medicaid and affordable health care for people with disabilities. 

Please call your member of Congress and tell them to oppose any bill or budget that proposes to cut or cap Medicaid and ask them to support bi-partisan actions around healthcare, including actions to stabilize the market. 

The attacks on health care continue from both the White House and Congress. Last night, the White House announced that it would halt subsidies to health insurance companies serving low-income Americans. These payments reduce the insurance payments for low-income people by reducing their deductibles and co-payments. This will have the effect of making health care less affordable by increasing premiums. It will also destabilize the markets. Halting these subsidies will also cost taxpayers more than continuing the subsidies. 

Yesterday, President Trump also signed an Executive Order targeting health care (see here). While this order is about private health insurance not Medicaid, it will likely impact people with pre-existing conditions, including people with disabilities, and will destabilize the market. Congress is also attacking health care through the budget. The House has already passed its 2018 budget resolution. Now it's the Senate's turn. If the budget resolution passes, Congress will be able to proceed with reconciliation. We are concerned that Congress will use cuts to Medicaid and other basic services to finance tax reform through reconciliation. 

 The fight to protect our health care is far from over. We need to continue educating our Senators on the importance of Medicaid and affordable health care to people with disabilities.  Please call your representatives and tell that we need: (1) bipartisan action to stabilize the market (including authorizing CSRs) and (2) no cuts to medicaid in the budget.

The attacks on health care continue. Today, President Trump signed an Executive Order targeting health care (see here). While this order is about private health insurance not Medicaid, it will likely impact people with pre-existing conditions, including people with disabilities. Congress is also attacking health care through the budget. The House has already passed its 2018 budget resolution. Now it's the Senate's turn. If the budget resolution passes, Congress will be able to proceed with reconciliation. We are concerned that Congress will use cuts to Medicaid and other basic services to finance tax reform through reconciliation. 

 Meanwhile, the President's Executive Order aims to create cheaper health plans with weaker protections outside of the current markets. Healthcare experts and advocates predict that such health plans would have damaging effects: the cost of health care for people with serious health conditions (including people with disabilities) will increase, and insurers will leave the marketplace, thus destabilizing the market. 

 The fight to protect our health care is far from over. We need to continue educating our Senators on the importance of Medicaid and health care to people with disabilities, and ensure that Medicaid won't get cut. We will keep you updated and let you know when we need to amp up the advocacy!

Over the last several months, you have all been incredible advocates. Together, we have successfully defeated multiple healthcare bills that would have decimated Medicaid. Unfortunately, the fight is not over.

Congress has now turned to the budget and will attack Medicaid through the budget. On Thursday, October 5, the House passed the 2018 budget resolution. Now it's the Senate's turn. If the budget resolution passes, Congress will be able to proceed with reconciliation. We are concerned that Congress will use cuts to Medicaid and other basic services to finance tax reform through reconciliation. 

We need to continue educating our Senators on the importance of Medicaid to people with disabilities, and ensure that Medicaid won't get cut. We will keep you updated and let you know when we need to amp up the advocacy!

We did it: People with disabilities, their families, and allies made their voices heard and saved Medicaid!
Senate Republicans have announced that there WILL NOT BE A VOTE on the disastrous Graham-Cassidy bill!
Thank you to everyone for your incredible advocacy.
We know there will be more attacks on Medicaid and we'll be ready to stand up again but for now we can celebrate that our advocacy made a difference.

Yesterday was a REALLY busy day in the fight against Graham-Cassidy.  Thanks to all of you -- people who  called and emailed their Senators, submitted testimony, participated in state rallies and events, packed the hearing and overflow rooms, rallied and protested.  Our advocacy is working, and we need to keep it up!  

We need everyone to keep up their advocacy against the Graham-Cassidy bill throughout the week.  A new version of the bill was released last night and it's EVEN WORSE.  

While changes in funding formulas would direct more money toward key states like Alaska, the exact amount is unclear and critics are calling the calculations "pretty misleading." The devastating cuts and caps to Medicaid remain the same and it's even easier for states to waive protections for people with pre-existing conditions.

This new bill will not receive a CBO score (there will be an abbreviated analysis on the first version) but we still expect a vote mid week. We need everyone to call (join the national disability call-in day), email,  attend events and post on social media asking your senators to vote NO!

We need everyone to keep up their advocacy against the Graham-Cassidy bill throughout the weekend and next week.  Senators are home over the weekend, so please join local events and call, email and post on social media asking your senators to vote NO.  The Senate is holding a hearing on Monday; we need everyone to submit comments into the record by Monday at 9 am.  Attend Monday's hearing if you're in DC; if you're outside DC, join in the national disability call-in day.   We are hearing there might be a vote as early as late Tuesday or on Wednesday.

This fight isn't over until three Republican Senators clearly and unequivocally commit that they will vote NO.  So keep up the advocacy!  We can win this fight to save Medicaid! 

The Graham-Cassidy bill is gaining momentum in the Senate. This last ditch effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act includes cuts to Medicaid that will be devastating to people with disabilities. We expect it to be brought to the floor of the Senate next week and the sponsors are only a couple of votes away from being able to pass the bill. 

We need to stop this bill. It's essential that individuals, family members, friends, and advocates make their voices heard NOW. 

Please take a few minutes today to call your representatives. 

Senators Graham and Cassidy have released their bill.  This bill is a last ditch attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act and restructure and cut Medicaid.  (Read more details here.) This bill is gaining momentum in the Senate, and we need to stop it!   

Please call or email your senators today!

We want to once again THANK YOU for all of your hard work during the last 6 months working diligently to educate, advocate for and ultimately protect Medicaid. You were strong, passionate, you kept showing up, and it made all the difference!

As Congress returned to session this week, most of the healthcare focus has been on bi-partisan marketplace proposals.  But there are some attempts to push another bill to repeal the ACA, the Graham-Cassidy proposal before the end of September.  While the final details have not been released, it includes block grants and major cuts to the Medicaid program.

It’s important for your representatives to continue to hear from the disability community about the importance of Medicaid and the need to work on healthcare in a bi-partisan manner.  Ask them to oppose any bill that would cut, cap or block grant Medicaid, including the Graham-Cassidy proposal. You can call, email, write.

We expect to face other attacks on Medicaid through the budget later this fall. We’ll keep you updated!

ACA and Medicaid bills: 

• This week the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee held hearings about health insurance marketplace stabilization (not about Medicaid).  This is a positive step in a bi-partisan direction. 

• The Senate parliamentarian ruled this week that the vehicle that Congress was using for healthcare reform – FY ’17 budget reconciliation (which allowed them only to need a simple majority to pass the bill) – expires at the end of the fiscal year (September 30, 2017 ). They of course can pass another budget reconciliation bill, although we understand that they’d like to use it for tax reform and not healthcare. 

• There is still one ACA repeal bill – the Graham-Cassidy bill – discussed by some Republican members of Congress and Republican Governors. Among other things, this bill would block grant and make huge cuts to the Medicaid program, as well as end the Medicaid expansion and marketplace subsidies. Yesterday  Senator McCain (R-AZ), one of the 3 Republicans who voted against the ACA repeal in July, made a public statement of support yesterday.  He later said that he believes that any action around the ACA should go through the normal legislative process (i.e. hearing, committee consideration, etc.) .  But given the pressure created by the expiring budget reconciliation, we think it is important to make sure this bill does not gain momentum. (For more information on the bill see here, and Graham-Cassidy Proposal: Gigantic Block Grants and Huge Health Care Cuts and Cassidy-Graham Would Deeply Cut and Drastically Redistribute Health Coverage Funding Among States).    

With the hard work of the disability community, we successfully 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. 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 go to an event.  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. See here for more inforamtion. 

Last night, the Senate's final try at a healthcare bill failed, with Senators Collins, Murkowski and McCain voting no.  This would not have happened without your tireless advocacy! Months of non-stop visits, calls, emails, sharing of your stories, rallies, and protests have paid off.  We should celebrate that our advocacy has made a difference.  Please send your thanks to the senators that voted against the bill.  We are committed to continue fighting any attempts to cut Medicaid or access to healthcare and will keep you updated and appreciate your support.  Again, thank you for your advocacy and let's celebrate this hard-fought victory.      

The Center for Public Representation relies on your support to be able to fight for the rights of people with disabilities.  This fight is not over, and we still need your support!  Donate here.  

The final vote in the Senate is expected to occur later today or tomorrow. Over the past two days, the Senate has voted on and failed to pass their original repeal and replace bill (the Better Care Reconciliation Act), and a second version which largely repealed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) without replacing it (the Obamacare Repeal Reconciliation Act). It’s because of your advocacy that they didn’t have the votes for either of these versions. 

However, today is the last day of debate, and the Republican leaders are still trying to decimate our health care. Within the next day, the Senate will be voting on a "skinny bill." This bill would repeal the ACA’s individual and employer mandates, and would lead to an estimated loss of insurance by 16 million, increased premiums, and $220 billion less in federal Medicaid funding. If the Senate passes this "skinny bill," it would advance to a conference to be reconciled with the House’s American Health Care Act (AHCA), with its more than $800 billion in cuts to Medicaid.  It is expected that the Republicans in conference would re-introduce large parts of the BCRA or AHCA, including devastating Medicaid cuts and caps.  Read more about the issues of the skinny bill here. 

During the last few hours of this debate, please make your voice heard!  We need to call, write, and make our voices heard. We need the Senate to know that no version of the bill is acceptable. Please reach out to your senator and the key senators and tell them to #VoteNo and to #SaveMedicaid.

Today is the 27th anniversary of the signing of the American with Disabilities Act! The advocacy in the last few weeks has been incredible. On this historic day, we need to keep it up! Over the next couple days the Senate will be voting on different versions of the Senate health care bill. We expect the final vote to be tomorrow, July 27. Every version of this bill is unacceptable and would lead to millions of people with disabilities losing their health care, and billions of dollars of cuts to Medicaid. 

As the Senate debates these bills, please reach out to your senators and the key senators, Senators Capito (WV), Corker (TN), Heller (NV), Portman (OH), Graham (SC), Moran (KS), and McCain (AZ). Tell them that #nocutsnocaps are acceptable, to #killthebill, and to #savemedicaid.  If you’re in DC,  please join Senators Casey, Van Hollen, Duckworth, and Hassan at noon in front of the Supreme Court for a press conference. They will be celebrating the ADA, and discussing the threat that Americans with disabilities are facing.

Despite all of your incredible advocacy, the motion to proceed narrowly passed this afternoon, with all of the Republican Senators aside from Senators Murkowski and Collins voting yes to proceed. Vice President Pence also voted yes to break the 50-50 tie.

Now as the Senate continues to debate the health care bill, we need to increase our advocacy! We need to call, write, and make our voices heard. We need the Senate to know that no version of the bill is acceptable. Please reach out to your senator and the key senators and tell them to #killthebill and to #savemedicaid. This fight is far from over. 

The Senate is expected to vote on a motion to proceed tomorrow. This means that a bill that will deprive 10 million people with disabilities of their health care, and lead to over 700 billion dollars in cuts will be moved to the next stage. This is unacceptable. Republican Senators are feeling intense pressure to allow the bill to go through. We need to match and beat this pressure, and encourage them to say NO! We need to tell our Senators to #killthebill and #savemedicaid.  No version of the current bills is acceptable.

Please call your senator and the key senators today. This is urgent! Please also consider joining the activities happening this week in D.C. and around the country. We need your advocacy and voices more than ever!

The last few days have been jam-packed, and there is still uncertainty as to what we can expect next. However, we do know that the Senate is planning on voting on a motion to proceed early next week, the first step in bringing a bill to a vote on the floor. This means we have to keep up the pressure and tell the Senate to #VoteNO and #KillTheBill.

Right now the Senate has two bills before it: the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) and the Obamacare Repeal Reconciliation Act (ORRA). Both of these bills lead to massive cuts and loss of health care for people with disabilities. The BCRA will cut Medicaid by $756 billion dollars, and will lead to 22 million people losing their health care. The cuts to Medicaid will increase over time, leading to a 35% cut by 2036. The ORRA would eliminate health care coverage for 32 million people by 2026, and 17 million by next year. It would also increase health care plan premiums by at least 100%. Both bills would cut home and community based services to people with disabilities.  Both bills also weaken protections for people with pre-existing conditions.  In short, both bills are unacceptable. Learn more about the bills and their CBO scores here and here.

We are not sure which bill will be voted on next week, but we need to keep our message strong that cuts to Medicaid and pre-existing protections are unacceptable. The Republican Senators are feeling massive pressure to pass a bill, so we need to step up our game. We need to thank the Senators who have voiced their opposition to the bills – particularly Senators Collins, Murkowski, Capito and Portman – and ask them to #StandStrong and #VoteNo.  And we need to encourage other senators to join them in opposing these bills! Please Act Now by continuing to call, write, and attend events. This fight to #SaveMedicaid is not over!

July 19 Update: The bill is back. But now there are two.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell came out today promising a vote to repeal the ACA next week.  There are now TWO bills being readied: the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BRCA) and a new bill, the Obamacare Repeal Reconciliation Act (ORRA).  They're both harmful and it's unclear what bill the Senators will be asked to vote on.  We'll keep you updated as we learn more but for now you can continue to make your voice heard.

Call, email, tweet, visit.  Tell them to vote no on a motion to proceed.  

Be sure to thank the Republican Senators who have come out against the bills: Senators Collins (ME), Murkowski (AK), Capito (WV), Senators Lee (UT), and Moran (KS). 

What happened?  Last night, two more Republican Senators – Senators Lee (UT) and Moran (KS) – joined Senators Collins (ME) and Paul (KY) in opposing the Senate’s health care bill, the better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA). Because Senate Majority Leader McConnell does not have the votes needed to pass the BCRA, the vote is not going forward. This is a huge accomplishment and would not have happened without your incredible advocacy.

What's Next? Senator McConnell announced last night that he will now try to move a bill that would repeal the Affordable Care Act and delay implementation for two years.  However, just in the last hour, three Republican Senators announced they would oppose a “repeal and delay” bill – Senators Collins (ME), Murkowski (AK), and Capito (WV).  We will keep you updated on Senator McConnell’s potential next steps to move a bill forward. In addition, earlier today the House announced that it is beginning its 2018 budget process, and cuts and block grants to Medicaid are in that mix.  In sum, things are very much in flux.  But we do know that the fight to save Medicaid is not over, and we need to keep up our advocacy!  

What can you do? First off, take a breath and congratulate yourself for all the hard work.  Take a look at some of the people who are fighting to save Medicaid and benefiting from your advocacy. We then need everyone to keep up the message that cuts, caps and block grants to Medicaid are unacceptable. We will need you to keep calling, writing, and attending events. Please also join in the emergency letter writing campaign (that has a deadline of midnight tomorrow) and tell the Senate why Medicaid matters to you. 

Thank you again for your incredible advocacy.  We have shown the world that advocacy works, and that the disability community is a force to be reckoned with.   

Senator McConnell has delayed the Senate vote on the health care bill, due to Senator McCain's absence from DC following a surgery. This means we have more time to advocate.  The rallies for today, beginning at 2 pm in DC are still on. However, tomorrow's events have been postponed. Today's featured speakers include:

Senators Chuck Schumer, Cory Booker, Mazie Hirono, Elizabeth Warren, Brian Schatz.

Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Reps. Hoyer, Ellison, Schakowsky, Pocan, Torres, Kennedy.

PLEASE KEEP UP THE ADVOCACY! Please keep writing, calling, and attending events. The deadline for submitting a save Medicaid letter for the Arc to deliver has been extended to Wednesday. We want to show strong support for Medicaid from all over the nation, but we are particularly looking for letters from the following states: Nevada, West Virginia, Alaska, Louisiana, Ohio, Arizona, North Dakota and Kansas.

The Senate has released a revised draft of their new health care bill. See our analysis here. In short, it's still incredibly harmful:  devastating per capita caps are still included in the bill and it has the same initial growth rate and the more restrictive growth rate beginning in 2025.  The bill is moving quickly towards a vote early next week, and we need everyone to act now!  

Here are another few key points about the bill:

• The revised bill still will have, based on the recent CBO, $772 billion in cuts to Medicaid, and will cut Medicaid by 35% by 2036, and 15 million people with lose Medicaid.  
• There have been no changes to the carve out from caps for "blind and disabled children."  In case you missed it, here is a blog about why it doesn't protect children with disabilities.
• A new 4 year pilot for home and community based services (HCBS) program was added.  It is limited to $8 billion and targeted to low density states.  This new HCBS program would not even fully replace the funding that the bill cuts for another permanent HCBS program (Community First Choice).  And it does nothing to address the long term cuts to HCBS by the caps.
• There has been virtually no change to the Medicaid expansion provisions (only substantive change  is that states can include the Medicaid expansion population in block grants).

We expect a CBO score on Monday and for the bill to move forward to a motion to proceed shortly after that. We need to #killthebill! There is incredible advocacy occurring all over the country. Please join in events and act !

National Call-in day is Wednesday, July 12th.  We want to thank everyone who has been working so hard this recess to protest the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA). With Senators returning to DC next week, we want to be sure they continue to hear the opposition to per capita caps loud and clear. To make sure that message continues, CCD is organizing a National Disability Call-In Day on Wednesday, July 12th. Please Save the Date! We will follow-up on Monday with a sample script and companion social media. 

Your senate is going on recess, but this is not a recess from our advocacy! We challenge you to do one thing every single day of the July 4th recess.  Please see our take action page for strategies on how to #killthebill and #savemedicaid. You need to make sure your representatives know that their proposed health care bill would decimate Medicaid and harm millions of seniors and people with disabilities. We can’t emphasize enough how important it is for the disability community to take action NOW to strongly oppose the AHCA, particularly its devastating cuts and caps to Medicaid.

Recess is a critical time to make your voices heard in your state. Your senators will be home for the July 4th recess. You need to make sure your senators know that their proposed health care bill would decimate Medicaid and harm millions of seniors and people with disabilities. The newest score from the Congressional Budget Office estimates a $772 billion cut to Medicaid and estimates that by 2036, Medicaid spending will be 35% less than under current law.

We can’t emphasize enough how important it is for the disability community to take action NOW to strongly oppose the AHCA, particularly its devastating cuts and caps to Medicaid.

Please see our take action page for strategies on how to #killthebill and #savemedicaid during the July 4th recess. 

Senator McConnell has pushed the vote on the Senate healthcare bill until after July recess! This is a direct result of all of your work and advocacy.

Unfortunately, the fight is not over.  Some senators who were going to oppose the motion to vote on the bill, made clear they are NOT necessarily opposed to the bill. 

We therefore need to keep up the advocacy over the next few days and over the recess! We need to make it clear that no cuts and caps to Medicaid are acceptable. Call, write, and please attend events occurring in D.C. and in your state. 

The Congressional Budget Office's score of the Senate's "Better Care Reconciliation Act" came out last night. It shows that 22 million people will lose insurance, including 15 million under Medicaid. The CBO also found that the bill would cut $772 billion from Medicaid over the next 10 years, with even more steep cuts thereafter. Among the "losers" in this bill would be people with disabilities, who rely on Medicaid as the only source for critical long term services and supports. See more about the CBO here.

The Senate is slated to vote this week. If you have a Republican Senator, keep calling and writing (or get your friends and family with a Republican Senator to do so). Please attend one of the many events occurring around the country this week. We must save Medicaid! We must prevent the support of people with disabilities from regressing 50 years!

The Senate has released its draft healthcare bill (the “Better Care Reconciliation Act”) and is moving quickly towards a vote next week. The draft bill is devastating. We need to ACT NOW to save medicaid and the lives of the millions of Americans who depend on it.

Like the House bill, the Senate bill contains per capita caps that would completely restructure the Medicaid program and cause devastating cuts to the critical services on which people with disabilities rely.  In fact, the Senate bill has even deeper cuts than the House bill. 

Senators will be home this weekend. A number of Senators are very concerned about this bill. The time for Advocacy is NOW! Please, please, please, take a few minutes out of your day to call, write, or attend events in your home state ! Tell your Senator that you are against this bill and urge them to Save Medicaid!

Our sources on Capitol Hill have confirmed that the Senate's bill is moving quickly and that the Senate could be voting as early as next week on a bill we still have not seen! We understand that the Senate bill still has per capita caps, and in fact, those caps may be even worse than those in the House bill.  But there is still hope to stop this!  We need to redouble our advocacy efforts to fight against cuts and caps to Medicaid!

Action: Please take five minutes out of your day everyday to call the Senate to ask them to say NO to cuts and caps on Medicaid! And today, please urge the Senate to #showusthebill through social media from 12:30pm to 2:00pm. 

Our advocacy over the next 2 weeks is critical – the Senate is moving quickly and plans to vote on the bill the last week in June.  By all accounts, the bill is largely based off the House bill and includes per capita caps.  We must continue to put the pressure on the Senate about these cuts and caps to Medicaid through in person visits (in DC or at their home offices), phone calls, and emails.

Yesterday thousands of people across the nation stood up and told our representatives “NO! We will not have healthcare changed on the backs of people with disabilities.”  

While yesterday sent a powerful message, now is not the time to sit down. The next few weeks are critical in preventing cuts and caps to Medicaid! We need to continue to join together and make our collective voice heard.

Today's Actions:

Enjoy our photo wall “Faces of Medicaid” and powerful photos from the June 6th actions.

Submit your own photos through the site and share any media coverage your action received.

Sign up for our email list to receive updates on actions over the coming weeks.

Stay tuned as we continue to update our report of yesterdays actions.

Today is the day. Join advocates around the country to #SaveMedicaid and tell our representatives #NoCutsNoCaps!

June 6th is a day of action! Please join us and stand up for people with disabilities at a rally in D.C.  Help us stop the Medicaid caps and cuts and save the lives of people with disabilities. Read more about the event here. If you cannot attend the rally in D.C., you can still participate by calling your representatives, posting on social media, or by participating in a rally in your own state. We will continue to provide updates about these important ways to make your voice heard. 

In the meantime, please continue calling! Recess is a critical time to make your voices heard in your state. You need to make sure your legislators know that the American Health Care Act (AHCA) would decimate Medicaid and literally harm millions of seniors and people with disabilities. The newest score from the Congressional Budget Office estimates a $834 billion cut to Medicaid.

We can’t emphasize enough how important it is for the disability community to take action NOW to strongly oppose the AHCA, particularly its devastating cuts and caps to Medicaid.

Recess is a critical time to make your voices heard in your state. Legislators will be home from May 29 to June 2nd. You need to make sure your legislators know that the American Health Care Act (AHCA) would decimate Medicaid and literally harm millions of seniors and people with disabilities. The newest score from the Congressional Budget Office estimates a $834 billion cut to Medicaid.

We can’t emphasize enough how important it is for the disability community to take action NOW to strongly oppose the AHCA, particularly its devastating cuts and caps to Medicaid.

Please continue calling!

On June 6th join us and stand up for people with disabilities at a rally in D.C. and others across the nation.  Help us stop Medicaid caps and cuts and save the lives of people with disabilities. Read more about the event here.

As we continue to educate legislators about the impact of this bill's dramatic cuts to Medicaid on people with disabilities, we're hearing that calls and emails from the disability community about Medicaid are being drowned out by other concerns with the AHCA.  

You matter, your story about Medicaid is critical, and your call makes a difference.

It is absolutely essential to make the case, in every state, to U.S. Senators, Governors, and key members of the legislature about the impact of the Medicaid per capita caps on community services and supports for individuals with disabilities.

Please, whether you're a lifelong activist or haven't voted in years - take five minutes today to help defend essential services for people with disabilities.

The AHCA passed narrowly in the House today. And yes, we're sad and disappointed.

But, it's not time to turn away disheartened and give up. It's time to take a minute, regroup, and come back strong. The bill barely made it through the House and the path in the Senate will even tougher; Republicans can lose only two vote for the bill to pass.

We'll be posting more information and calls to action in the coming days. 

Thank you all for your continued work!

9:00 PM: The House has said that they'll bring the AHCA to the floor tomorrow with House Republican leadership saying they expect to have the votes to pass it. 

• Keep up the calls, especially to any Representatives who are no's or leaning no's.
• Keep making your voices heard.  The fight isn't over.

2:00 PM: We're once again on high alert as it looks like this bill could get enough votes to make it through the House. A new amendment adds funding to high risk-pools while leaving the fundamental flaws of this legislation untouched. The core concerns of people with disabilities and their advocates have not been addressed.  The amended AHCA will still cut $880 billion from Medicaid; leave people with pre-existing conditions, including people with disabilities, unprotected; and make coverage of essential benefits like mental  health care optional.

It is critical that you make our opposition to this bill heard.  Together we've blocked previous versions of the AHCA. We need to do it again. 

PLEASE, act now, call your representatives, make your voice heard, spread the word. 

Despite our success in getting the House to withdraw the American Health Care Act earlier this month right before Congressional Recess, the AHCA may be back as early as next week.  Over recess, the House developed amendments to the AHCA that have made it even worse for people with disabilities.  The amended AHCA still will cut $880 billion from Medicaid, but now will allow states to choose to discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions (including disabilities) and decide not to cover essential benefits (like mental  health care).  It is critical that you make our opposition to this bill heard.  

Thanks to the incredible advocacy of people like you, the American Health Care Act was withdrawn. But we know that the fight to protect Medicaid is far from over.  The latest news is that Congress is turning back to working on a healthcare bill.  We must keep up our advocacy.  Your Congressional representatives will be on recess and working in their state offices from April 10 to 21.  This is a great time to meet with your representative, go to a Town Hall, or plan an event. 

It's still unclear, but there's some buzz suggesting this bill may be coming back. We'll keep you updated as we know more but please continue to stay engaged and educated!

 Speaker Ryan  withdrew the AHCA and stated he will not be reintroducing it anytime soon!  Thank you for your incredible advocacy.  While this is good news for now, we know that there could be further legislation or harmful regulatory action related to Medicaid. 

Act Now - the AHCA is on the Floor of the House

The House is debating on AHCA right now and will vote this afternoon around 4 or 5pm. The bill includes a  NEW amendment that further harms people with disabilities,  repealing Essential Health Benefits.

 These amendments are causing some moderates to flip their “no” vote to a “yes”. We can’t let the bill pass! Here’s what we need you to do ASAP: Call. Call. Call. Call. Email. Tweet

Call the main Capitol line at: (202) 224-3121 (You’ll be directed to an operator at the Capitol switchboard. This switchboard can direct you to both senators as well as representatives.)

House GOP leaders did not have enough votes and postponed today’s planned vote on the AHCA. The latest information is that the vote might happen tomorrow or Monday. The current version of the bill still imposes unacceptable per capita caps on Medicaid services for people with disabilities. There is not a final version of the bill and negotiations are still in process. Please make your voice heard today.

The new Congressional Budget Office (CBO) score shows that the amendments would cost more without insuring more people.

The last information from Capital Hill is that the American Health Care Act (AHCA) will be going to the House floor this Thursday for a vote. As is, this bill would be devastating to people with disabilities –  we need you to take action now. 

Proposed updates to the bill do not address the concerns of the disability community. There will still be dramatic cuts to the Medicaid program.