For many in the developmental disability community, the current fight over the American Health Care Act (AHCA) and the proposed federal budget cuts threaten the services and support programs that allow them to live the life they want to live. If the current legislation were to pass, it would cut over 800 billion dollars in Medicaid spending over the next decade and would shift Medicaid from being an entitlement program to either a per capita cap system, which would only offer states a fixed amount of money per beneficiary, or a block grant, a lump sum from the government. These cuts could lead to a reduction in home and community based services, longer waiting lists for services, and more eligibility requirements.
The AHCA was recently scored by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The CBO found that the current plan would result in 23 million more Americans becoming uninsured by 2026.
A recent survey was conducted by Brunswick Partners finds that an overwhelming majority of Americans across political spectrum believe the proposed cuts to Medicaid are a bad idea. To read about the survey, click here.
What You Can Do
The AHCA is currently being considered by the Senate. Now is the time to reach out to your senators and tell them to vote “No” on the AHCA, the proposed cuts to Medicaid, and placing caps on Medicaid services. Your senators must understand the importance of Medicaid in the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families. Click here to contact your senators and for a brief script.
The Arc US recently released a series of videos focused on families and individuals who rely on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. Please watch the videos below and share them with others to show the impact that cutting these programs will have.