History

Advocacy at The 2017 Disability Policy Seminar

Self-Advocate and Board Member Mitch Routon, Board Member Lori Thom and Executive Director Wil Romero advocate for the preservation of lifelines like Medicaid and the ACA for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the 2017 Disability Policy Seminar in Washington DC.

Many individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families rely on coverage under the Affordable Care Act, as well as Medicaid, for health care and to live and work in the community.

As proposed cuts to these critical programs threaten the well being of millions of Americans with disabilities and their families, The Arc Pikes Peak Region is attending this week’s Disability Policy Seminar. This seminar aims to advance the grassroots movement for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, cultivating champions for those with I/DD on Capitol Hill.

Preserving these important lifelines is a key priority of The Arc Pikes Peak Region, and our Executive Director, Wil Romero, Board Member Lori Thom and Board Member and Self-Advocate Mitch Routon are busy in Washington, DC, advocating for these programs. The video below illustrates the face of those who rely on Medicaid to live and work.

We encourage you to learn more about these important lifelines by checking out these fact sheets from the Disability Policy Seminar, and take action by calling your Senators and Representatives today. The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote this Thursday. The Senate has indicated that it would like to vote on the House bill before the mid-April recess.

The new bill, called the American Health Care Act, includes an $880 billion cut to Medicaid over the next decade. According to the Congressional Budget Office, it will result in 24 million without health insurance by 2026; this includes 14 million fewer people enrolled in Medicaid.

Self-Advocate Mitch Routon takes action by asking questions at the 2017 Disability Policy Seminar.

When you take action by calling your Senators or Representatives, here are some examples of what to say:

• I am a member of The Arc.
• Share your story: The ACA and Medicaid help me/my family member to have health care and community based services.
• Do NOT support the repeal of the ACA.
• Do NOT allow cuts to Medicaid.

Every single call matters! We want to ensure that those with I/DD have access to the resources they need to thrive, making our community one where all individuals are embraced and respected.