AUCD Joins Thousands of Civil Rights and Disability Advocates to Protect Medicaid Health and Home and Community Based Services
June 6, 2017
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Today the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) joins thousands of disability leaders, providers, families, and professionals concerned about the health and well-being of children and adults with disabilities to urge Senators to protect Medicaid from drastic cuts and caps as proposed in the House-passed American Health Care Act (ACHA).
"Voters did not ask for cuts to Medicaid and the President promised not to make cuts to Medicaid," said Andrew Imparato, Executive Director of AUCD. "Radically restructuring and cutting Medicaid puts the entire national support system for our community at risk."
People with disabilities, especially those with severe disabilities, often rely on a complex array of supports across many areas of public policy to lead successful and productive lives in the community. The American Health Care Act makes more than $800 billion in cuts to Medicaid over the next decade, the health and community living program millions of people with disabilities rely on for medical care and social supports. In addition, the AHCA caps the funding for disability Medicaid programs and puts the responsibility on states to pick up the tab. States are still recovering from the recession; this shift would put an even greater strain on states will inevitably mean fewer services for people who need them the most.
June 6 has been declared a #SaveMedicaid Day of Action around the country, with rallies being held across the country today in Washington, DC; Chicago, IL; Atlanta, GA; Phoenix, AZ; Spokane, WA; Austin, TX; Missoula, MT; California; and North Carolina. An action toolkit is available for anyone across the country which includes sample tweets and talking points, and social media cover images.
The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), located in Silver Spring, MD, promotes and supports a national network of interdisciplinary centers on disabilities. The members of AUCD represent every U.S. state and territory. AUCD and its members work to advance policy and practice through research, education, leadership, and services for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and communities. For more information, visit AUCD's website, www.aucd.org.
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