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Educate your Senators on the importance of the Money Follows the Person (MFP) Program

Help people living in nursing facilities and other institutional settings move back into their community!

January 29, 2018

MFP improves the lives of older adults and people with disabilities, and does so in a more cost-effective way than institutional settings. By favoring community-based services, states save money and see better outcomes for their residents. That's why nearly every state has participated in the program!

Independent evaluations have proven MFP improves the quality of life for individuals, and reduced Medicaid and Medicare expenditures by approximately 23%. Unfortunately, MFP expired September 30, 2016, and states are running out of funding.

As a result, states are scaling back their programs, reducing dedicated staff and crucial resources. Last year was the first time that the number of people transitioned to the community declined. Without action NOW, the program will lose progress.

Sens. Portman (R-OH) and Cantwell (D-WA) have introduced bipartisan legislation (EMPOWER Care Act - S. 2227) to improve and extend the program for five years. Contact your senators to educate them on the importance of MFP in order to increase co-sponsors.

The talking points and suggested actions in the guide below can be used to help educate your Senators on the positive impact MFP has on people with disabilities.

Talking Points

  • The Money Follows the Person Program brings people with disabilities and older adults back home to their communities.
  • The Money Follows the Person program gives people greater control over their lives.
  • It's fiscally responsible! MFP improves the quality of life of individuals while saving states and the federal government Medicaid funding.
  • The program expired over a year ago. Without additional funding, states could scale back programs, potentially pulling the rug out from under the people who need it.
  • Talk about why this is important for you or someone you know, and your state. MFP frees people! MFP keeps families together! MFP reduces waiting lists!

Act Now!

Action 1: Call Congress

  • Call your Senators. Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or (202) 224-3091 (TTY) and ask to be connected to your Senators.
  • Educate them on the importance of the EMPOWER Care Act S.2227 that extends the Money Follows the Person Program.

Action 2: Social Media

  • Tweet and Post on Facebook
  • Tag Senators by their Twitter handles. Find their twitter handles online.
  • It is particularly important to target Senate Finance Committee members.
  • Use hashtag #FundMFP in your posts. Copy or get inspired by social media content below, and download sample graphics here.
  • RSVP to this Facebook event, which will house information on the many ways to communicate with Senators about this issue.

Action 3: Email Your Senators

  • Email your Senators. Using the talking points above, craft an original email telling Congress to consider the proven effectiveness of MFP when making difficulty policy decisions in the coming weeks. Money Follows the Person is a cost-effective strategy to support community living options for people with disabilities.
  • You can also use a pre-crafted email created by AUCD. By entering your zip code, the site will automatically address the message to your Senators. You're invited to personalize the message if you wish.

Sample Social Media Messages

Download sample graphics for use with #FundMFP

Facebook

  1. The Money Follows the Person Program (MFP) helps people with disabilities and older adults move from institutions and nursing homes back to their homes and communities. There's a lot of things on Congress's plate right now, but MFP expired in 2016, and states need to keep the program going.
    ACT NOW. Call your Senators and urge them to co-sponsor the EMPOWER Care Act (S. 2227), which would improve and extend MFP for 5 years. The Capitol Switchboard can connect you with your Senators' offices: 202-224-3121, or 202-224-3091 (TTY). #FundMFP
  2. It's always nice when an independent evaluation proves a program successful. Since 2005, the Money Follows the Person Program (MFP) has effectively helped older adults and people with disabilities move back home from care facilities. Your voice matters, so spread the word and get your friends and family to educate Senators on the program's success. #FundMFP
  3. Aging well is a group effort. The Money Follows the Person Program (MFP) has helped older adults and people with disabilities move back home after time in a nursing home or similar institution. Lend your voice to remind policymakers! #FundMFP

Twitter

  1. We're thrilled to see @SenRobPortman and @SenatorCantwell champion the Money Follows the Person Program. #FundMFP
  2. There's no place like home. Lend your voice in support of older adults and people with disabilities! We need programs to help people transition to their homes from care facilities. #FundMFP
  3. Good work should never go unfunded. Tell Senators the MFP program helps older adults and people with disabilities move back home after time in a nursing homes or institutions. Spread the word! #FundMFP #aging #health

Find and tag your Senators to share the importance of funding the Money Follows the Person Program! You can find official accounts in this curated list from @cspan. #FundMFP

 

Questions?

Contact Liz Weintraub or Rylin Rodgers at AUCD.

 

This informaton is provided by AUCD. No federal funds were used in the production of this information.