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CONTACT CONGRESS NOW: INCLUDE THE CRITICAL NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN THE NEXT COVID-19 RELIEF PACKAGE!

Congress has been acting quickly to address the coronavirus pandemic and has already passed two bills in response – but more must still be done to support people with disabilities, their families, and the direct support professionals (DSP) workforce. The entire country is facing the health and economic impacts of COVID-19, but people with disabilities are particularly vulnerable. People with disabilities are more likely to have underlying health conditions and live in poverty – this means that they will be disproportionately impacted and need ongoing support.

Congress is in the process of drafting the 3rd COVID-19 relief package, and it is vital that they hear about the needs of people with disabilities and the service system that supports them to live and work in their communities! NOW is the time to contact your Senators and Representatives to ask them to include the following priorities in the next COVID-19 package:

Increased Medicaid funding to help state Medicaid systems cope with increased need during this crisis. (The Families First Act’s increased funding is a good starting point, but more will be necessary.)
Permanent reauthorization of the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program to allow states to continue to support the transition of people with disabilities from institutions into the community and lessen the threat to their health and rights of posed by unnecessary institutionalization in congregate settings.
Access to a 90-day supply of medication and medical supplies and ongoing access to long-term services and supports.
Paid leave coverage for when a person needs to fill in to provide care to a family member with a disability because their care worker is sick or their program closes. (The Families First Act did not include paid leave coverage in these circumstances.)
Emergency income relief that includes people with disabilities. This means eliminating or raising asset limits in the means tested programs many people with disabilities rely on, including SSI, SNAP, and Medicaid.
Protections for the civil rights of people with disabilities, including ensuring they are not forced into institutional settings (where they are also at higher risk) or discriminated against in access to care and treatment

Without this legislation, people with disabilities continue to face possible institutionalization, which would violate their rights and risk their health. For updates and additional resources on COVID-19 and its impact on people with disabilities, visit the Center for Public Representation.

Call your Members of Congress:

Call the Capitol Switchboard at: (202) 224-3121 (voice) or (202) 224-3091(tty) and ask to be connected to your Senators.
You can use this easy tool to find your members of Congress.

Thank you for your advocacy efforts!

The NDSC Policy & Advocacy Team

We encourage you to stay engaged in our advocacy efforts by: (1) Registering for NDSC Action Alerts- click "Quick Sign Up"; (2) Subscribing to the NDSC Policy & Advocacy Newsline; (3) Joining our national grassroots advocacy program, the National Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition and (4) "liking" NDSC Policy & Advocacy on social media .

Easy Call Script

Hello, this is [Name]. I’m a resident of [Town, State].

I am calling to ask [Senator’s or Representative’s Name] to please ensure that legislation in response to the coronavirus pandemic addresses the needs of people with disabilities. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act that was just passed is an important first step, but more must be done now to meet the needs of people with disabilities, who are especially impacted by this crisis.

I ask that you also ensure any future legislation include:

Increased Medicaid funding to help state Medicaid systems cope with increased need during this crisis. The Families First Act’s increased funding is a good starting point, but more will be necessary.
Permanent reauthorization of the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program to allow states to continue to support the transition of people with disabilities from institutions into the community and lessen the threat to their health and rights of posed by unnecessary institutionalization in congregate settings
Access to a 90-day supply of medication and medical supplies and ongoing access to long-term services and supports
Paid leave coverage for when a person needs to fill in to provide care to a family member with a disability because their care worker is sick or their program closes. The Families First Act did not include paid leave coverage in these circumstances.
Emergency income relief that includes people with disabilities. This means eliminating or raising asset limits in the means tested programs many people with disabilities rely on, including SSI, SNAP, and Medicaid.
Protections for the civil rights of people with disabilities, including ensuring they are not forced into institutional settings (where they are also at higher risk) or discriminated against in access to care and treatment.

Thank you for taking my call!

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Subject: INCLUDE THE CRITICAL NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN THE NEXT COVID-19 RELIEF PACKAGE!

Message:

Hello, this is [Name]. I’m a resident of [Town, State]. I am writing to ask [Senator’s or Representative’s Name] to please ensure that legislation in response to the coronavirus pandemic addresses the needs of people with disabilities. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act that was just passed is an important first step, but more must be done now to meet the needs of people with disabilities, who are especially impacted by this crisis. I ask that you also ensure any future legislation include: •	Increased Medicaid funding to help state Medicaid systems cope with increased need during this crisis. The Families First Act’s increased funding is a good starting point, but more will be necessary. •	Permanent reauthorization of the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program to allow states to continue to support the transition of people with disabilities from institutions into the community and lessen the threat to their health and rights of posed by unnecessary institutionalization in congregate settings •	Access to a 90-day supply of medication and medical supplies and ongoing access to long-term services and supports •	Paid leave coverage for when a person needs to fill in to provide care to a family member with a disability because their care worker is sick or their program closes. The Families First Act did not include paid leave coverage in these circumstances. •	Emergency income relief that includes people with disabilities. This means eliminating or raising asset limits in the means tested programs many people with disabilities rely on, including SSI, SNAP, and Medicaid. •	Protections for the civil rights of people with disabilities, including ensuring they are not forced into institutional settings (where they are also at higher risk) or discriminated against in access to care and treatment. Thank you!

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