The Arc, with our allies, has advocated for “a historic investment in home and community-based services.” We’ve explained in the past that federal funding plays a major role in securing employment, day, residential, and family supports – namely all the services that our constituents require! It also is key in helping states, including our state, in addressing the workforce crisis has strained many families and programs to the “breaking point.”
The Inflation Reduction Act, which passed in the Senate and was signed into law by President Biden on Tuesday, does not include the historic investment we hoped for.
Our colleague, Bethany Lilly, Senior Director of Public Policy at The Arc, stated: “We will not stop pushing for what we need because home and community-based services for people with disabilities make all the difference in the quality of life for a person with a disability and their family.”
We can join others across the country again, to let our congressional delegation know how much we need a package to provide more access to services in the community, and to pay the people doing the work a fair, living wage.
Two specific messages we can share: funding can be a game changer for:
- The nationwide shortage of direct care workers and nurses, which we desperately need which translates into no or inadequate services.
- Support for the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act, which will raise SSI asset limits for the first time in 30 years, from $2,000 to $10,000 for individuals and from $3,000 to $20,000 for married couples.
Our Congress is home for the August recess. Please join The Arc in urging our members to keep up the fight for home and community based services!
