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During the week of August 20, members of the House will be on recess and returning to their home districts. We encourage EVERYONE to go visit your member(s) of Congress and tell them what is important to you. It is an important opportunity to engage them and remind them about the vital programs that support the independence of people with disabilities. Whether you met with your Members, invite them to an event at your chapter, attend a town hall – Congress needs to hear from you! This year, the Senate will be on recess the first week of August and the House the entire month.
Many of us will be making visits and focusing on issues that include Medicaid and reauthorization of Money Follows the Person, Workforce Crisis, ABLE and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). We will also be thanking our Members of Congress for delaying implementation of the Electronic Visit Verification and asking that CA take full advantage of the delay so we can be ready for the implementation.
Below are tools and resources to support your outreach to Congress around two current key priorities – Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Medicaid
We remain vigilant against threats to Medicaid and August recess is an important time to remind Congress about the importance of Medicaid in the lives on people with disabilities and the many roles that it plays in supporting individuals with disabilities to live in their communities.
In order to support growth of Medicaid services in the community, currently, we are urging Congress to support community living by reauthorizing the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program through the EMPOWER Care Act. This critical program has provided federal funds to states to transition individuals with disabilities and the aging population out of institutional settings and back into their communities. The program expired in late 2016 and is being dismantled in the states. We must act now to extend this program.
Materials to support Medicaid/MFP advocacy:
- The Arc released a new advocacy video on the importance of Medicaid and SSI to share on social media, at events, etc.
- Community Living factsheet to share with Members of Congress.
- Sample social media post and the EMPOWER Care Act Action Alert:
- The Money Follows the Person program (#MFP) helps people with disabilities and seniors move home after living in a nursing home. Ask Congress to reauthorize this critical program!
SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps millions of people with disabilities put food on the table. In June, through the Farm Bill, The House of Representatives voted to cut SNAP for roughly 2 million people over 10 years. In July, the Senate passed a different version of the Farm Bill, which does not include these harmful cuts. The Farm Bill is now going to “conference” for Members of the House and Senate to negotiate. It is vital that a final Farm Bill does not include cuts to SNAP.
Materials to support SNAP advocacy:
- Talking points for outreach to Members of Congress:
- Millions of people with disabilities rely on SNAP for access to nutritious foods.
- Please oppose the inclusion of any cuts to SNAP in a final Farm Bill.
2. SNAP fact sheet to share with Members of Congress.
3. Please share The Arc’s advocacy video on SNAP.
Lastly, you can find out if your Members of Congress are hosting Town Hall meetings during recess at townhallproject.com (by sharing this resource The Arc is not endorsing the content on the site)
Thank you for your advocacy and please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions!
Also, The Arc CA has some August Recess Swag: If you are interested in getting some August swag for your visits call The Arc CA at 916-552-6619.
Jordan Lindsey, Executive Director, The Arc of California