Celebrate the 19th Anniversary of the Supreme Court's landmark #Olmsteaddecision by joining our fight to #FundMFP! Tell your Members of Congress why it is important to reauthorize Money Follows the Person in your state. 

The Supreme Court in Olmstead recognized the right of people with disabilities to live, work, and participate in their communities. Money Follows the Person (MFP) helps people move out of nursing homes and institutions into their communities. MFP and the EMPOWER Care Act make Olmstead a reality for people with disabilities and seniors! 

CALL CONGRESS TO HONOR THE OLMSTEAD ANNIVERSARY, SUPPORT COMMUNITY LIVING!

MFP has helped more than 75,000 seniors and people with disabilities move out of nursing homes and institutions into the community. MFP has improved the lives of older adults and people with disabilities, saved states money, and led to better outcomes. That’s why nearly every state has participated in the program! 

But MFP expired September 30, 2016, and states are running out of funding. States are already scaling back their programs, and without funding, could have to completely eliminate them. Last year was the first time that the number of people transitioned to the community declined. Without action NOW, states will lose momentum and more people will be stuck in institutions.

WE NEED YOU TO TELL CONGRESS WHY MFP IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR STATE! 

*Tell your Senators and Representatives that there is a bill, the EMPOWER Care Act, which would reauthorize this program https://medicaid.publicrep.org/empower-care-act/.*

For more information, and instructions for grassroots activists visit:
https://medicaid.publicrep.org/events/national-call-in-day-save-funding-for-community-living/

Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or (202) 224-3091 (TTY) and ask to be connected to your Members of Congress to educate them about MFP and the Empower Act.

*Talking Points*
The Money Follows the Person Program brings people with disabilities and older adults back home to their communities

MFP allows some people to return home to start a job or go to college, reducing to the burden on federal programs.

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!

In addition to Call In Day, you can also support #Olmstead #FundMFP via Social Media, https://medicaid.publicrep.org/events/social-media-day-for-community-living/

Your grassroots can also send a message to your Members of Congress here, https://advocacy.aucd.org/app/write-a-letter?0&engagementId=431333 or here, http://takeaction.autism-society.org/app/write-a-letter?0&engagementId=477633.

Event Url:
https://medicaid.publicrep.org/events/national-call-in-day-save-funding-for-community-living/

More information about MFP and the EMPOWER Care Act at www.protectourmedicaid.org/feature/money-follows-the-person/

Hosted by: 
American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR)
Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)
Autism Speaks 
Autism Society
Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)
Center for Public Representation
Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD)
Disability and Aging Collaborative (DAC)
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF)
Justice in Aging
LeadingAge
Lutheran Services in America
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care
National Council on Aging
National Council on Independent Living 
National Disability Rights Network
National Down Syndrome Congress
The Arc of the United States