Mobilize for Medicaid: Tell State Legislators to Contact Your Federal Delegation
The federal budget reconciliation is currently calling for devastating cuts to Medicaid.
Medicaid is the lifeline that keeps disabled people in their homes and communities — yet Congress is considering proposals that would slash funding, impose work requirements, and limit access to critical services like personal care and home and community-based services (HCBS). These changes would force many people with disabilities into institutions, undermining the core principles of Independent Living.
As part of the Independent Living Network, we know how vital Medicaid is for our community. We must act now to protect it!
If the federal budget cuts Medicaid, states will be forced to cut vital programs and services our community relies on in the state budgets.
It is imperative that your state officials know how devastating these cuts will be to the community and that we work with the states to preserve these critical programs:
- Consumer-directed personal care programs
- In-home community-based services and supports
- Access to durable medical equipment
- Medicaid-funded transportation services
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Dentistry
- So much more
It is crucial that we all work in coalition, both at the individual and organizational level with others in our states. This can be done both formally and informally.
Take Action:
Contact your state officials and tell them how vital these programs are to you and the impact it will have on your community and family if they are cut. You can send a message using NCIL’s Advocacy and Action Center.
More Ideas:
Meet with your state legislators either at the state house or ask them to meet you in your community to discuss the impact of these programs.
Go to a local town hall meeting and share your concerns.
Send a letter to your state and federal legislators collectively.
Share your impact story on your social media.
Encourage friends and family to take action as well.
Sample Script:
As a constituent and member of the disability community, I am deeply concerned about the proposed federal budget cuts to Medicaid. Medicaid is essential for people with disabilities to live independently through services like personal care, home and community-based supports, medical equipment, and transportation. While Medicaid-funded home and community-based services (HCBS) are technically optional for states, they are not optional for the individuals who depend on them to live safely in their homes and communities. If these cuts go through, our state will be forced to scale back vital programs that many of us rely on to survive and thrive. I urge you to contact our federal delegation and advocate strongly for protecting Medicaid and the services that keep our community safe, healthy, and independent.
If you take any of the action steps above, please report your advocacy activities back to NCIL
This will help us track impact and inform strategy at the national level.
