Maura Sullivan, The Arc’s Senior Director of Government Affairs and Health Policy, teamed up with advocates Linda Long-Bellil and Ilyse Levine Kanji to meet with Congressman Jim McGovern last week in his Worcester district.
The Arc has been advocating for the HEADs Up Act for several years. This bill was filed by Congressman Seth Moulton in past sessions and refiled in 2023.
The bill will help bring more inclusive healthcare to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It categorizes people with IDD as a medically underserved population (MUP). This allows doctors to have longer visits and be reimbursed better. The bill has many benefits to improve health care access.
Congressman McGovern was very receptive and agreed to become a cosponsor and help move this national legislation forward.
