Action Alert #4: Support Medicaid and Disability Rights in Louisiana

There are two big issues right now being discussed at the federal level that could impact people with disabilities:

1. Possible Cuts to Medicaid
2. Section 504 Lawsuit (ie. Texas v. Becerra)

Read on for more information about each issue and how you can get involved!

Issue 1 – Possible Cuts to Medicaid

This week, policymakers in Washington D.C. released a budget blueprint asking for $1.5 trillion dollars in cuts to federal spending. It specifically asks the Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicaid, to find ways to cut hundreds of billions of dollars. Cuts this large could negatively impact Medicaid and the nearly 80 million Americans who rely on Medicaid for help.
Medicaid is the largest payer of home and community-based services (HCBS) for individuals with disabilities who likely cannot afford these services and supports on their own.

• More than 1 in 5 people in the U.S. use Medicaid as a lifeline to remain at home and in their communities where they belong.
• 32% of Louisianans benefit from Medicaid services.
• 3 out of 7 Louisianans on Medicaid have a disability. (Medicaid Fact Sheet)

In Louisiana, Medicaid funding pays for programs like waivers, EPSDT, personal care services, transportation, doctor’s visits, therapies and so much more. Unfortunately, home and community-based services are considered optional and the first to be cut. People with disabilities and their families know the truth – these services are NOT optional. They are essential! HCBS allows people with disabilities to make their own decisions about where they live, work, learn and play. They ensure their safety and independence. This is why Medicaid must be protected!

How to Take Action

Contact your state and federal policymakers to let them know what impacts, if any, you or someone you may know would face if Medicaid were to be cut.

1. Click HERE to fill out a form with your personal story. Your story will be sent to the Council and shared with the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD). NACDD will share your story with federal policymakers at the Capitol when they educate them on the importance of Medicaid services and funding. Please fill out the form by February 21st.
2. Share your personal story and thoughts about Medicaid services and funding with your state and federal policymakers by February 21st.
   • Click HERE to see your policymakers. Just put in your address, and the names of your state and federal policymakers will show. Click on each name for their contact information.

Issue 2 – Section 504 Lawsuit

Seventeen states, including Louisiana, have filed a lawsuit claiming Section 504 is unconstitutional. The case is Texas v. Becerra. These 17 states have said they don’t like certain rules in Section 504, but the lawsuit doesn’t just ask to get rid of some rules. It asks to get rid of all of Section 504. It seems these states want to see Section 504 and all its protections gone. But what is Section 504 and why does this matter?
Simply put, Section 504 protects people with disabilities! Section 504 prevents any discrimination of people with disabilities by anyone who gets federal funding. This includes schools, hospitals, doctor’s offices and therapy centers. Section 504 ensures all of these places are inclusive of people with disabilities and have accommodations in place to best support their needs. Many of the rules in Section 504 target education and healthcare. For instance, Section 504 states:

• Schools must include students with disabilities and help them learn
• Healthcare facilities and schools should have sign language interpreters and videos with captions
• Information shared by healthcare professionals should be clear and easy to understand for people with disabilities including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Websites must be accessible for all including those who are blind and visually impaired
• People with disabilities have a right to healthcare, and the machines and tools to help with diagnoses must accommodate people (e.g. wheelchair users)
• Losing Section 504 would impact millions of people who rely on Section 504 daily to receive the accommodations they need.

How to Take Action

Contact Attorney General (AG) Liz Murrill’s office to let her know how important Section 504 is to you or someone you know by February 21st.

• Email: [email protected]
• Call: 225-326-6079 or 877-297-0995
• You can also visit the AG’s contact page HERE and submit your comments in the form at the bottom of the page.

If you need help with this alert or would like more information, reach out to your LaCAN Leader today!

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