Public Policy

Don't Cut Our Lifeline Medicaid Toolkit

Protect the Services You or a Loved One Rely On to Survive! Take Action Now!

Since the summer of 2011, Congress has considered several proposals to cut important programs to people with I/DD like Medicaid, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and Medicare. The Arc’s advocates have been successful in blocking major changes to these programs. But our work is far from over – 2013 brings threats to these lifeline programs. We need you to get involved!

Congress and the Administration will spend the first part of 2013 crafting and negotiating additional legislation, on top of the Budget Control Act of 2011 and the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, to address other aspects of the nation’s fiscal situation. The big, outstanding items include passage of an increase in the nation’s debt ceiling, the fate of the automatic cuts (sequester) scheduled to take place March 1, and negotiations on appropriations for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2013. These deadlines will increase pressure to generate additional revenue and to cut the entitlement programs (Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare) as well as the discretionary programs (such as housing, education, employment) that people with I/DD rely on to live in the community.

We need you to continue contacting your elected officials and tell them, “Don’t Cut Our Lifeline!” Participate in their town hall meetings; visit their local offices; and invite them to meet families or to see your programs. Advocates like you sharing their stories have already made a great impact, we can’t afford to lose steam now.

Please use the following materials to facilitate your advocacy efforts:

• NEW Medicaid Data Sheets for All 50 States and DC
• Deficit Reduction Information from The Arc's National Policy Matters
• Questions & Answers on Potential Medicaid Cuts
• How to Tell Your Members of Congress - Don’t Cut Our Lifeline
• Document to Leave Behind in Elected Officials' Offices
• Resources on Medicaid Data by State and/or Congressional District
• Issues and Concerns for People with I/DD Who are Dually Eligible for Medicaid and Medicare
• Supporting Data from The Arc's FINDS Survey
• Faces of Medicaid

Don't Cut Our Lifeline Stories

• Don't Cut Bailey's Lifeline
• Don't Cut Graysen's Lifeline
• Don't Cut Clare's Lifeline

If you are with a chapter of The Arc and are looking for more resources, go to the For Chapters section for more materials.