Action Alert #15: Stop Medicaid Cuts That Harm People with Disabilities

June 12, 2025

Home and Community-Based Services at Risk in Louisiana

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to cut a lot of money from Medicaid in their budget bill. These cuts could hurt people with disabilities the most. Now the bill moves to the U.S. Senate. You need to speak up and let your U.S. Senators know what cuts to Medicaid mean for you!

Why This is Important
In Louisiana, Medicaid is a lifeline for over 1.6 million people. Across our country, more than 10 million people with disabilities use Medicaid to…

• Go to the doctor,
• Get medicine,
• Go to therapy, and
• Have help at home.

Without Medicaid, many people might not get the care they need to stay healthy or even stay alive.

What’s Most at Risk: Help to Live at Home
One of the biggest problems is the cut to Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). HCBS helps people with disabilities live at home instead of going to a nursing home or other institution. It gives them help like home health aides / direct support workers and personal care.
But HCBS is considered optional, which means states don’t have to offer it. If Medicaid gets cut, this help might be taken away first.
That means many people with disabilities could lose their independence and be forced to live in a place they don’t want to be.
This isn’t just about money. It’s about treating people with respect and giving them the chance to live in their own homes and communities.

How to Take Action
You can help your U.S. Senators understand why Medicaid is important by sharing your story. Tell them
what kinds of help you get from Medicaid and how it makes your life better each day. Let them know
what it would be like if Medicaid was taken away or given less money. Your story can help them make
better choices that help people like you.
Email both of Louisiana’s U.S. Senators by Friday, June 20th.

• Senator Bill Cassidy (website) / Click Here to email.
• Senator John Kennedy (website) / Click Here to email.

When using the link to email your Senators, you will need to include your contact information.
Contact your LaCAN Leader if you need help with this alert or would like more information.

Confirm Your Action

• Email your LaCAN Leader after you take action
• Why confirm your action? This helps the Council know how effective we are reaching you with important information and engaging members across our state in advocacy for systems change.

Tips & Tools for Advocacy
Looking for tips and tools to help you in your advocacy? Check out the Council’s Advocacy 101 page.
You can also find tips for:

• Writing/emailing your legislators
• Calling your legislators
• Writing your story