ANCOR Issues Statement on House Budget Resolution Vote, Emphasizes Harm Medicaid Cuts Pose to Disability Services

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the House voted to approve the passage of the FY 2025 budget resolution, which would direct the House Energy and Commerce Committee to make cuts of at least $880 billion—extreme cuts that would predominantly target the federal Medicaid program and harm, among other groups, people with disabilities and the provider networks that support them. In response to the vote, ANCOR released the following statement:

“We are deeply concerned about the result of today’s vote on the budget resolution and the harm it could portend for disability service providers and the individuals they support,” said Barbara Merrill, chief executive officer for ANCOR. “The $880 billion in cuts in this resolution is just the floor—meaning more drastic cuts to the Medicaid program could be included in legislation moving forward—so it is critical to recognize the potential magnitude of what is being proposed and the strain it will place on the already fragile home- and community-based services system.

Cutting Medicaid will mean cutting integral services for Americans with disabilities. State budgets that are unable to absorb the financial shocks will be forced to cut programs, placing optional services, like community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, in jeopardy. When community-based services are cut, people with disabilities languish on waiting lists without access to supports that enable them to carry out activities of daily living, live independently, get to and from work, and more. More than 511,000 people languish on states’ waiting lists for services today—a number that will only increase should services be cut—ultimately putting community support out of reach for even more individuals and their families.”

“Long-term underinvestment in community-based services, together with insufficient reimbursement rates, have hampered the ability of community providers to offer direct support professionals competitive wages and benefits,” said Lydia Dawson, vice president of government relations for ANCOR. “Ninety percent of community providers experienced moderate or severe staffing challenges in the past year and thirty-nine percent discontinued programs and services. Further reductions will only deepen this workforce crisis, forcing people with disabilities to either go without essential support or seek care in high-cost, emergency rooms and large state-run institutions.

Our communities are at their best when all people, including people with disabilities, have the opportunity to develop skills, achieve greater independence and successfully reach their goals. Medicaid enables community providers to support individuals with disabilities and helps contribute to a stronger America for everyone. To keep the promise of community living for people with disabilities a reality, we must invest in the Medicaid program.”

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