Latest Legislative Ask Includes Support for Disability Community in New COVID-19 Bill

We recently received two URGENT requests from ANCOR and The ARC, two trade associations we work with, asking us to reach out to our legislators about the new COVID-19 Bill expected to be voted on this week.
We NEED your help with this ask as soon as possible!

This legislative package DOES contain significant provisions to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and the providers who support them, so it’s essential that we get this passed!
The disability support-related provisions in the HEROES Act include:

1.  A 10-percent increase in the Medicaid match rate (FMAP), specifically for the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program.

2.  Explicitly defining Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) as essential workers.

3.  An additional $100 billion for the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund, and a specific provision to list HCBS providers among the entities eligible for the funding.

4.  A “Heroes Fund,” which would fund hazard pay for DSPs up to $13 per hour in addition to current wages.

 More information about the bill can be viewed here.

Please visit these to websites TODAY to ask your legislators for their support. The messages are already prewritten, so all you need to do is fill in your information. It’s that easy!

https://disabilityadvocacynetwork.org/app/onestep-write-a-letter?2&engagementId=506953

https://www.ancor.org/amplifier?vvsrc=%2fCampaigns%2f74371%2fRespond

The House is expected to vote on this bill on Friday, so time is of the essence.

Thank you for your advocacy!