New Initiative Highlights Benefits, Stories, and Innovations of Program
Washington, D.C. – Despite the enormous societal and economic benefits offered by the modern Medicaid program, a lack of dialogue about the true value of the program drives misperceptions relating to it and puts policymaker support for it increasingly at risk. Now, an alliance of more than two dozen national advocacy organizations has formally launched with the aim of creating a truthful conversation about the Medicaid program and its importance for the more than 70 million Americans covered by it.
ASAN joins advocates for low-income Americans, children’s health and well-being, people with mental illness, people with disabilities, health care providers, and business organizations today in announcing their participation in the Modern Medicaid Alliance (MMA). A list of the members of the Modern Medicaid Alliance can be found here.
From lowering health care costs to delivering better health outcomes for beneficiaries, Medicaid keeps our nation healthier and enables more citizens to have access to affordable, quality healthcare so they can care for their families and be productive in the workplace. The largest health care program in the country has also become a proven laboratory for innovation as cash-strapped states have sought solutions for difficult population health issues. Despite its positive impact on tens of millions of people and America as a whole, the need for greater awareness among policymakers and the public about the value of our investment in it remains high.
“The Medicaid program is a lifeline for many people with disabilities and our families, particularly individuals who require long term services and supports,” said Julia Bascom, Deputy Executive Director at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. “Understanding, preserving, and strengthening Medicaid has never been more important for our community, and ASAN is committed to doing everything we can to ensure that we continue to build on the progress we’ve made.”
About the Modern Medicaid Alliance: The Modern Medicaid Alliance works as a collective group of organizations and grassroots members to educate policymakers and the public about the benefits of Medicaid to the American people and to highlight how Medicaid’s innovative solutions are positively impacting those it serves with the goal of ensuring the benefits and best practices of today’s Medicaid program can impact as many of the program’s 70 million beneficiaries as possible.
About the Autistic Self Advocacy Network: The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization run by and for Autistic people. The Autistic Self Advocacy Network seeks to advance the principles of the disability rights movement with regard to autism. ASAN believes that the goal of autism advocacy should be a world in which Autistic people enjoy the same access, rights, and opportunities as all other citizens. We work to empower Autistic people across the world to take control of our own lives and the future of our common community, and seek to organize the Autistic community to ensure our voices are heard in the national conversation about us. Nothing About Us, Without Us!