Advocates for people with disabilities moving with urgency to protect Medicaid HCBS, exec with The Arc says

Julie Ward, senior executive officer of public policy for The Arc, feels a strong sense of urgency to help protect the Medicaid program and its home- and community-based services (HCBS) from impending cuts. For people with disabilities, she noted, HCBS is a lifeline. If HCBS is cut, it will force people into institutions and cause hardships for families. The HCBS program is currently grappling with challenges including a waiting list of over 711,000 and a workforce shortage. Procedural challenges that ensued with the Medicaid unwinding — the process of refining Medicaid enrollment following the COVID-19 pandemic — may serve as a cautionary tale if the Trump administration enacts work requirements, she said. The need to act to defend Medicaid feels stronger than it ever has been, she noted, as there will not be a divided Congress to serve as a backstop.Follow us on social media:X (formerly Twitter): @McKHomeCareFacebook: McKnight's Home CareLinkedIn: McKnight's Home CareInstagram: mcknights_homecareFollow The Arc on social media:X: @TheArcUSFacebook: The Arc of the United StatesLinkedIn: The Arc of the United StatesInstagram: thearc_usShow contributors:McKnight’s Home Care Editor Liza Berger and Julie Ward, senior executive officer of public policy, The Arc Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.