Disability Policy News In Brief

March 25, 2019


March 25, 2019 \| Vol. MMXIX, Issue 12

Congressional Recess

Congress is back in session this week. As always, their work will impact our lives significantly. Make sure you are sharing your voice.

Action Steps:

If your Senators or Representative held a public event, thank them.
If you attended, tell them and share what issues you came to speak about.
If they didn't have an event, express your interest in a future event.
Invite them to visit with you personally.
Share what issues you would like to discuss with them.
Reach out to their office this week. Ask for details about how the budget discussions will impact you and others in your community.

These types of engagement are about building relationships between you and your lawmakers and are essential to making sure your voice is heard in our democracy.

Budget

The President's FY 2020 Budget Request cuts or eliminates funding for LENDs, UCEDDs and PNS.

Projects of National Significance: $1 million, a cut of $11M.
University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities: $33 million, a cut of $8M.
Autism and Other Developmental Disorders (which includes LENDs) is zeroed out, a cut of $52M.

Action Steps:

Educate the Congressional Delegation of your state or territory about requested appropriations to support your center. Simply email sharing AUCD's language and ask.

LEND

UCEDD

PNS

Invite members of the House to join "Dear Colleague" letters in support of appropriations.

Tip: Offices are much more likely to sign these letters if they hear from constituents alerting them to these letters.

Dear Colleague: Support Funding for DD Councils, PADD, UCEDDs, and PNS circulated by Congressman Langevin

Sample Script: I'm calling to let you know that Rep. Langevin has circulated a "Dear Colleague" sign-on letter in support of appropriations for UCEDDs in our state. The deadline to sign on to the letter is this Tuesday, March 26. If you have questions about the "Dear Colleague" letter you can contact Katherine Lee in Rep. Langevin's office at [email protected]

Dear Colleague: Support Funding for the Department of Health and Human Services' autism activities as authorized by Autism CARES Act/PL 113-157 circulated by Congressman Smith

Sample Script: I'm calling to let you know that Rep. Smith has circulated a "dear colleague" sign-on letter in support of appropriations for LEND in our state. The deadline to sign on to the letter is this Tuesday, March 26. If you have questions about the "dear colleague" letter you can contact Kelsey Griswold in Congressman Smith's office at [email protected]

Autism CARES 2019

The Autism CARES Act - which has expanded research and coordination, increased public awareness and surveillance, and expanded interdisciplinary health professional training, including LENDs, to identify and support children and youth with Autism and their families - will sunset (expire) in September 2019 without a successful reauthorization. Bills to reauthorize the Act have been introduced and need co-sponsors (HR. 1058, S. 427). Currently six Senators and 31 Representatives from the states and territories have joined as co-sponsors.

Action Steps:

Contact your Congressional delegation and make sure they are engaged in the reauthorization.
Invite your Congressmembers to be a co-sponsor of Autism CARES, or thank them for their involvement.
Use this easy form to send an educational email to your members about the importance of Autism CARES legislation.
Call your members of Congress at 202-224-3121, and advocate as a private citizen for the bill's reauthorization.

Sample Script: "I am [Name] from [State]. I have seen the impact of Autism CARES and the lives changed because of this important legislation. I urge you to co-sponsor reauthorization. Thank you."

Medicaid

D.C. District Court Judge James Boasberg's rulings on two separate cases challenging the administration's approval of programs in Kentucky and Arkansas requiring people to work or volunteer 80 hours a month to keep their Medicaid coverage are expected this week.
The National Health Law Program, New Hampshire Legal Assistance and the National Center for Law and Economic Justice have filed a new suit over New Hampshire work requirements which compel the state's low-income residents to document at least 100 hours of work per month or lose coverage.

HCBS Heightened Scrutiny

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued updated guidance to State Medicaid Directors on implementation of the 2014 Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) regulation. The updated guidance was issued as a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs); it clarifies the "heightened scrutiny" process, which allows states to provide evidence to CMS demonstrating that certain settings meet the federal HCBS criteria so that they can maintain access to Medicaid funding.

Action Step:

CMS will conduct an HCBS Settings Heightened Scrutiny FAQ training session onMarch 28, 2019 at 1:30 PM
Register to attend this training at: https://neweditions.adobeconnect.com/hcbs_heightened_scrutiny_training_session/event/registration.html

Higher Education Act

The White House, which took a mostly hands-off approach in the 115th Congress's attempt at an HEA rewrite, has decided to weigh in this time. The wish list released last week endorsed adding new lending caps for graduate and parent borrowers and giving campus aid administrators the authority to require loan counseling for student borrowers.

Action Step:

Learn more about the priorities of the disability community for the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act
Share the priorities with your Congressional delegation to ensure that the needs of people with disabilities are met under reauthorization

Campaign 2020

The following notable candidates have filed to run for president with the Federal Election Commission or announced exploratory committees.

Action Steps:

Your voice is needed to ensure that disability policy is part of the campaign.

For candidates who are currently in office, share and elevate their position on key disability legation as noted below. Tip: You can and should ask them to support bills of importance
Check out the campaign website of each candidate (links below); use the sites to ask questions about disability policy.

Beto O'Rourke (D), former Representative from Texas, announced on March 14^th, 2019

Jay Inslee (D), Governor of Washington state, announced on February 28, 2019

Bernie Sanders (I), U.S. Senator from Vermont, announced on February 19, 2019