Hello, everyone~ It has been a busy summer so far! I have been out and about the past few weeks, visiting our local chapters, meeting with our coalition and task force members, and jumping in to the important work of The Arc Maryland. Thank you all for such a warm welcome and for all of your support as I have settled in.
Over the summer, we are involved in a lot of policy work, but also in advocacy efforts on the National level.
The defeat of the pared-down healthcare bill on July 28th was a huge victory for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families and also a testament to the strength of our grassroots advocacy. We are so very thankful to the Senators who recognized the harm this bill would have caused for millions of people if it passed~ According to a report from the Congressional Budget Office that was released just hours before the vote, the bill would have resulted in 16 million additional people without insurance by 2026. We also know that it threatened to severely disrupt the system of supports we have in Maryland. Check out The Arc Maryland’s earlier report on the consequences to Maryland here.
Maryland’s Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers authorize Maryland Medicaid to provide services to more than 23,000 Marylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These waiver programs enable people to live and work in their own homes and communities, provide necessary supports for access to healthcare, jobs, and other important activities of life… and they were at risk, had we not prevailed!
The fight was long and hard but we cannot rest now. Our representatives need to continue to hear from us about why #medicaid matters.
As members of The Arc family, we are never alone in our advocacy efforts. The Arc Maryland is part of a broader network of more than 650 chapters across the country, and working to create a world where children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have and enjoy equal rights and opportunities. The Arc Maryland team is here when needed to provide you with information and the tools you need to tell your story. Please keep us informed about what matters to you! You may contact or follow us via Facebook, Twitter, and at 410-571-9320.
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Sincerely,
Ande Kolp
Executive Director
The Arc Maryland