Dear Public Policy Committee:
The message below was sent to the ED’s today concerning a developing threat to HCBS rule implementation.

Thank you!

-Erin

Dear DD Councils:

We know that some of you are hearing about an amendment that may be on the House floor today that could severely impact the HCBS Rule. NACDD is keeping on top of the proceedings and will keep you informed. We believe that the best way for you all to be helpful today on this is simply to be knowledgeable. We are concerned that calls in to Member offices that are not well versed on the nuances of the issue could become confused or may not understand our position and so we are targeting the Member, Rep. Bobby Rush through a targeted strategy rather than reaching out to a variety of committee Members.

If you feel that you really want to weigh-in, we suggest that you contact Rep. Rush’s office only – even though you are not from his state/district. All of the information is here:

We have reports that Rep. Bobby Rush may be introducing an amendment at this afternoon's U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee Markup to freeze implementation of the Home and Community Based Settings (HCBS) Rule. We are aware that some advocates may be contacting the DD Councils urging them to call members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. We urge caution in calling any members of the committee without coordinating with NACDD first.

If your DD Council members do want to contact the committee today, we ask that you direct them to contact Rep. Rush’s office 202-225-4372 to let them know they are opposed to this rider. Here are the talking points:

CHIP reauthorization is too important to our DD communities to be used as a vehicle for any amendments, especially a harmful amendment which would freeze implementation of the HCBS settings rule.
The HCBS settings rule, finalized in 2014 after more than five years of persistent advocacy by people with disabilities and their allies, requires states to make sure people getting HCBS have their rights respected and receive services in settings that are truly integrated in their community. The settings rule promotes self-determination for people with disabilities, and ensures that Medicaid dollars go to community settings that support community integration. The rule prevents providers from deciding when people living in residential settings get to eat or go to sleep or have visitors in their own homes. The rule also encourages states to expand capacity in cutting edge integrated settings while moving away from institution-like settings, such as large congregate settings and sheltered workshops. Again, the rule was crafted with significant input from disabled people stating what is important to them.
Attaching a rider to CHIP to amend the settings rule lacks transparency and disregards the years-long process of advocacy by the DD community to implement this rule. It is bad process and bad government, and disrespectful towards the DD community of self-advocates who deserve to be heard on this important policy.
NACDD would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss the settings rule and why it’s implementation is critical to promote self-determination, integration and inclusions for all people in the United States with developmental disabilities.

Please contact me if you have questions, concerns or are unsure of how to be helpful in this process.

Erin Prangley

Director, Public Policy

National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities

1825 K Street, NW, Suite 600

Washington, DC 20006

202.506.5813 Ext. 104 (Phone)

202.506.5846 (Fax)

www.nacdd.org