05/26/2025
IMPORTANT ADVOCACY INFORMATION
re the House Approved "Big Beautiful Bill"
To all fellow people in the Medicaid Waiver community serving people with developmental disabilities. Please note the following statement from ANCOR Foundation regarding the recently approved "Big Beautiful Bill" that was passed in the House and is on to the Senate.
“Protecting Medicaid is necessary to protect people with disabilities. The U.S. House voted today to approve a total of at least $715 billion in cuts to federal health programs, with Medicaid bearing the brunt of those reductions, thereby putting people with disabilities in jeopardy of losing access to crucial supports and services,” said Barbara Merrill, chief executive officer at ANCOR.”
“Even though the approved cuts are not directly aimed at community-based services, the non-mandatory nature of these supports means people with disabilities will be harmed as a result. The health, safety and quality of life of people with disabilities hinges on a robust and adequately resourced Medicaid program. Their right to live full and independent lives in their communities—rights we should all be able to enjoy—hangs in the balance.”
The "non mandatory" services described include:
--> residential homes for people with developmental disabilities in the community that are not in a hospital setting: group homes, sponsored residential host families who host someone in their home, supported living for people who live in their own apartment and have people help them with independence
--> supported employment: job coaches who help people with developmental disabilities find and train for jobs
--> day programs: social and experiential day activities that give people with developmental disabilities the ability to practice new skills, engage in recreational activities, and participate in community events
--> and so many more...
Those of us who provide community based services to people with developmental disabilities know how far we have come in providing safe, integrated, high quality community supports for people who have historically been institutionalized. In community based services, people with developmental disabilities are able to be active in their own lives, choose where they live, find work that makes them feel accomplished and connected, and be engaged in their communities.
Please advocate to your senator to and check out the ANCOR website to see what advocacy is available to preserve important life choices for people in our community.
A Community of providers for people with disabilities
