Building resilience to protect and improve Medicaid

For many in the DD world, Medicaid is the door to inclusion. Our listen, learn and mobilize events start in April

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WHAT NEXT FOR MEDICAID?

Last year, there were multiple attempts in Congress to not only reduce funding for Medicaid, but to end the program as it exists and leave it to states to rebuild using reduced federal funding.

At The Arc of King County, we joined advocates nationwide to ask Congress to hit pause. Nationwide, 10 million people with disabilities rely on Medicaid to live and participate in their communities.

But as we rallied, it became clear few people really understood Medicaid - not the Congress members considering funding cuts, nor the state legislators who would have to consider service cuts. Even families of people with developmental disabilities were often unaware that the services their loved one relied on were paid for by Medicaid.

Employment and provider bills we are tracking in 2018

Now until February 14 is a critical time to act

A bill is a draft of a proposed law. These bills have cleared the initial policy committee hurdles; some still need to clear fiscal committees. Once these hurdles are met, a Rules Committee will decide when and whether to present them to the full chamber for a vote.

If you see a bill you care about, please contact your legislators. You can click on the “Comment on” links here, or call the Legislative Hotline at 1.800.562.6000.

For TTY-ASSISTANCE: 1.800.833.6384 (voice) or 1.800.833.6388 (TTY).

See also: Where we are in the process, What you should be doing, and definitions you might find helpful

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT

HB 2787 - Concerning creation of the select committee on supported employment services for individuals with developmental disabilities
SPONSORS: Caldier, Kilduff, Dent, Senn, Frame, Doglio, McDonald, Pollet, Santos

The committee must produce a report that includes suggested policy, administrative code, or statute changes that would allow for better outcomes for recipients of supported employment or community access services.

STATUS: Did NOT pass the House 

• Comment on HB 2787