(UPDATE) Action Alert #4 – Medicaid & Section 504 Still Need Your Support

Advocacy is not done! Medicaid and Section 504 are still two big issues up for debate, and your continued advocacy is needed to ensure people with disabilities are not negatively impacted.

Read on for updates on each issue! Don’t forget to follow us on social media for updates on these issues as we move through the process.

Issue 1 – Federal Budget Cuts & Medicaid

On Tuesday, February 25th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a budget resolution that proposes trillions of dollars in cuts to federal spending. There has been a lot of information out there about what this means for Medicaid and services for people with disabilities. A few things you need to know:

• A budget resolution was passed and NOT a bill.
• The resolution has about $4.5 trillion in tax breaks and $2 trillion in spending cuts.
• It asks the committee that oversees Medicaid, the Energy and Commerce Committee, to cut up to $880 billion over the next 10 years.
• Committee hearings and debates will be taking place in the weeks and months to come as the House drafts its bill.
• The Senate is also looking at drafting its own resolution, meaning the House and Senate are working on separate budget proposals.

It’s important to know Medicaid is NOT cut yet. Many congressmen have said there are no proposed cuts or directives to cut Medicaid. However, if cuts of this magnitude are made, it’s hard to imagine Medicaid and services for people with disabilities would not be impacted.

In Louisiana, 32% of the population receives Medicaid. It pays for things like waivers, EPSDT, personal care services, transportation, doctor’s visits, therapies and so much more. These services and programs allow 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 ongoing advocacy is important and necessary! If you’ve already taken action, that’s okay. We must keep communicating with our policymakers and remind them how important Medicaid services are to people with disabilities.

How to Take Action

Keep reaching out to 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. Ask for updates on what they are doing to protect Medicaid!

• 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.
• Your U.S. Representative and Senators will be back in their districts in March. Call their offices and ask about any upcoming town halls and meeting opportunities where you can discuss your concerns.

Call the Chair and Louisiana’s representative on the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee and share how important Medicaid is to you or someone you know.

• Chair Rep. Brett Guthrie (202) 225-3501
• Rep. Troy Carter (202) 225-6636

Issue 2 – Section 504 Lawsuit

On Wednesday, February 19th, a Joint Status Report was filed by the 17 states, which includes Louisiana, regarding the lawsuit claiming Section 504 unconstitutional (Texas v. Becerra). This filing did not change anything about the case even though Attorney Generals (AG) around the country told advocates their state would withdraw, language in the complaint would be updated or the suit may even be dropped. None of this occurred.

Unfortunately, information in the filing has not brought ease to advocates. They feel language in the filing suggests the AGs are only looking for Section 504 protections within programs funded under the Rehabilitation Act, like vocational rehabilitation services. This would mean things like housing, education and healthcare would no longer be bound by Section 504 protections. The filing also cites ensuring people receive services in the most integrated setting as an example of an unconstitutional act. Integration is what allows people with disabilities to be included in their communities and classrooms! A detailed explanation of the filing by the Disability Rights Defense and Education Fund (DRDEF) and its partners can be found HERE.

Losing any parts of Section 504 would impact millions of people who rely on Section 504 daily to receive the accommodations they need in the least restrictive settings.

How to Take Action

Keep reaching out to Attorney General (AG) Liz Murrill’s office to let her know how important Section 504 is to you or someone you know. Keep asking for updates about what she and her office are doing to ensure people with disabilities are protected!

• 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