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. Due to the pandemic, many community service providers are facing funding shortfalls and struggling to stay open. 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’re about 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 need the Senate to do 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. Here’s how you can participate:
Call your Senators! You can use our 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?
Join our Facebook event for scripts, tips, and check ins throughout the week.
Need help making calls? Check out our proxy calling system: https://proxycaller.org/
Want to help make calls for other people? Shoot us an email at info@proxycaller.org with your name and preferred email.
Once you’ve called, there are more actions you can take:
- Email or Fax your Senators. You can use the same script you did while calling.
- Tweet at your Senators and let them know #MedicaidCantWait and that you support emergency #HCBS funding in the next COVID relief package
Our community has been left out of the picture when it comes to COVID relief over and over again. Enough is enough. When HCBS is at risk, our lives are on the line: #MedicaidCantWait!