ACTION REQUIRED

HCBS Funding in New COVID Relief Package

Tell your senators We need emergency funding for Home and Community based services (HCBS) in next COVID Relief Package!!

"Many disabled people rely on home and community-based services (HCBS) to live in the community. Now, at a time when COVID-19 is rapidly spreading, these services are more critical than ever as they keep people with disabilities out of institutions, where the virus is spreading at devastating rates. The disability community needs emergency funding for Medicaid home and community-based services. That funding has not been included in any of the COVID relief legislation passed since the beginning of the pandemic, but we need to change that."


"Congress is putting together the next COVID-19 relief package now, and the House of Representatives has already included emergency HCBS funding in their version of the COVID relief package. Now we must make sure the Senate does the same. We’re asking you to participate in our week of action, and ask your Senators to make sure the final COVID-19 relief bill includes the funding our community needs."

TAKE ACTION AND CALL YOUR SENATORS!

You can call OR EMAIL your senatoRS and use this script:

Hello! My name is [your full name], and I am from [city]. I’m calling to ask Senator [Name] to make sure the Senate’s COVID relief package includes emergency funding for Medicaid home and community-based services.

Home and community-based services funded by Medicaid allow people with disabilities like [me/ my family member/ my friends/ my neighbor/ etc.] to continue living safely at home. These services keep people with disabilities out of institutions, where COVID-19 is currently killing thousands. Because of the pandemic, community-based service providers are struggling to stay open, and without emergency funds, some will be forced to close.

The House has already included emergency funding for Medicaid home- and community-based services in their COVID relief bill. We just need the Senate to include it too. This funding is a life and death issue for disabled [residents of your state]. Can I count on Senator [Name] to stand up for people with disabilities by making sure that funding is in the Senate bill?


Engage your Senators on Social Media!

Tweet your Senators - find their Twitter handles here.


Sample Social Media Posts:

  • Take action TODAY to protect the disability community during COVID-19: https://www.aapd.com/action-alert-hcbs-funding/ #MedicaidCantWait

  • The Senate emergency COVID-19 relief funding includes NO funding for community-based services — services that many people with disabilities rely on to stay out of institutions, where COVID-19 is spreading. Take action TODAY. https://www.aapd.com/action-alert-hcbs-funding/ #MedicaidCantWait #HCBS


Reference:

American Association of People with Disabilities (2021, February). Action alert! medicaid can't wait! AAPD. https://mailchi.mp/aapd/action-alert-judge-barrett-193746?e=9c7150c943