ANCOR Updates Its Policy Principles to Better Reflect Federal Programs Supporting People with I/DD

Due to policy developments in 2018 in issues not related to Medicaid, but which still heavily affect people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, ANCOR has revised its Policy Principles to cover topics such as food stamps and Social Security benefits. Originally adopted by the ANCOR Board on February 8, 2017, ANCOR’s Policy Principles are meant to be evergreen and adaptable to new policy issues as they emerge. However, in 2018 we found that they were not written to sufficiently encompass non-Medicaid I/DD issues. As such in our January 2019 Government Relations Committee retreat we proposed to add a new principle to address such issues. This proposal was adapted by the Committee and by the Board, leading to the following revised principles:

ANCOR Public Policy Principles

I. Uphold federal disability civil rights statutes [e.g. the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Olmstead decision, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act), and the Rehabilitation Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)]; champion the full implementation and funding of cost of compliance with these statutes; reject discriminatory acts and statements about people regardless of disability.

II. Advance effective strategies that address the significant and mounting direct support professional workforce shortage.

• This includes efforts aimed at cultivating workforce growth, funding for adequate DSP wages and benefits, technology solutions and leadership succession that sustain the viability of the Medicaid funded community supports, and other Medicaid funded systems into the future.
   
• Design, lead and evaluate creative and innovative system and funding reform with the goal of a sustainable, quality system that supports a quality workforce.

III. Strengthen Medicaid funded systems that promote community inclusion and provide a range of options for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

• Lead discussions on quality; advocate for adequate funding necessary to ensure quality supports.
   
• Oppose any reductions to Medicaid funding allocated to IDD and changes to IDD Medicaid eligibility that would cause reductions in eligibility.

IV. Advance the opportunity for providers to have standing before, and access to, all branches of government, including executive, legislative and judicial, to ensure adequate and reasonable payments and provider qualifications for the services they provide.

V. Ensure that providers are involved as valued stakeholders at all levels of pertinent federal oversight and licensing procedures as well as implementation of any relevant federal regulations or statutes. 

• Educate stakeholders on the meaningful difference providers make in the lives of people with disabilities as well as the value they bring to the Medicaid program and the communities they operate in. 
• Recognize and advance the critical role of the state and federal partnership of Medicaid through state association collaboration.  

VI. Support and strengthen federal legislation and programs beyond Medicaid that provide additional support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) including but not limited to Social Security and SNAP benefits.