Hello,

 

Welcome to the 115^th Congress! I am sharing an alert (that could also be used as a template letter), and number of resources as we gear-up for a possible repeal and/or replace of the Affordable Care Act, and block granting or per capita caps being placed on the Medicaid program. There is a lot of information in the press right now, and a lot of different information coming from the Hill about how this process will play out, but it is clear that it is being already worked on in Congress, and we will start to see action in the future.

 

I am sending this email to the public policy listserv, and all of the Executive Directors. If you are not the public policy listserv, and want to get related updates, please email Jessica Misilo at xxxxxx@nacdd.org to add you. We will also be rolling out a new branded email communication in the next two weeks.

 

Three Action Steps to Take Now!

 

1.       Introduce your DD Council to the staffer who covers health and Medicaid to your Senators and Representatives in Congress. You may also want to inquire about who covers other issues such as education so you have this information available to you. You can reach every office by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3131. Calls are better than emails to offices. An alert template you can use is attached. The most important item is to share stories of how people with IDD have benefited from the ACA and Medicaid. Ask Council members, self-advocates and others in your state / territory to also make calls….Which brings me to #2…

 

2.       Gather 3-5 stories of how repeal of the ACA or cuts to Medicaid will impact people in the state / territory and share these stories with Members of Congress and their staff over the coming weeks. NACDD is also putting together a data collection tool in Survey Monkey to gather information from your Council including stories. Having stories that can illustrate how Medicaid and health insurance has supported individuals and families across the age span will be critical. NACDD will be working to help you with template letters and talking points. Russell Lehmann, who spoke at the NACDD Annual Conference this past summer will be sharing his personal story with Medicaid as one example for all of us and will be using his social media and public speaking platforms as a bully pulpit to share the importance of government supports and inspire others to do the same. If you have someone in your state / territory that has a particular compelling story, ask if he/she might be willing to call their member and/or offer to testify at a hearing or briefing or is willing to join you at a meeting with the Governor.

 

3.       Assemble a state level advocacy coalition to coordinate resources and work within the state / territory. Reach out to the DD partners, other disability organizations, and other state partners that work on health related issues. NACDD has been speaking with the National Association of State Developmental Disabilities Directors (NASDDDS) as well as the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) in an effort to build partnerships to assist you at the state level. Both of these national organizations are looking to work collaboratively to educate Governors and state legislators on the importance of Medicaid and the ACA for people with I/DD.  On December 2, Republican leadership from the Committees of jurisdiction sent the attached letter to the Governors and Medicaid Commissioners asking for their input. It is a great time to reach out to these groups and provide your input by Friday January 6^th, and an ongoing basis as the process moves forward.

 

Resources Attached

 

·         Guide to the 115^th Congress (attached). While a lot of it is political news, it does have some helpful information on new members etc. More information on Committee assignments for members to come in the next few days.

 

·         Letter to Governors from House Committee Leadership (attached)

 

·         Draft Template Action Alert on ACA (attached)

 

·         Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Letter on the Medicaid Program (attached)

·         CCD Letter on the Affordable Care Act (attached)

·         CCD Factsheet on Affordable Care Act (attached)

 

·         National Health Law Program Protect Medicaid Funding Series Protect Medicaid Funding Series http://www.healthlaw.org/issues/medicaid

·         Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) Impact of Affordable Care Act Repeal http://www.cbpp.org/research/health/impact-of-affordable-care-act-repeal

·         CBPP Medicaid Block Grant Would Slash Federal Funding, Shift Costs to States, and Leave Millions More Uninsured http://www.cbpp.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/11-30-16health_0.pdf (attached)