Statement on Final Passage of the Republican Reconciliation Package

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the FY 25 budget reconciliation bill, legislation that will make deep cuts to Medicaid and inflict harm on people with disabilities and the network of community-based supports they depend on.

The sweeping cuts to Medicaid, which amount to nearly $1 trillion, will not only force millions of Americans off their health care coverage, but will also jeopardize access to the services that make community inclusion possible for hundreds of thousands of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

Furthermore, cuts of this magnitude will mean that state governments will have no choice but to make cuts to their own investments in Medicaid. At greatest risk are optional services, including the Medicaid-funded home- and community-based services that enable people to live more independently and in their communities, rather than in large, costly, state-run institutions.

These community-based supports—funded almost exclusively by Medicaid—empower people with I/DD to live as independently as possible, in their homes and communities. Despite Congress’ stated intent of protecting people with I/DD, this bill cuts the very funding on which people with disabilities depend for critical supports and life-saving health care. Make no mistake: this bill will cause direct harm to anyone who depends on Medicaid to continue living in their community.

As this legislation heads to the President’s desk, we call on policymakers to immediately shift their focus toward strengthening access to high-quality, community-based disability services. ANCOR remains committed to working with legislators on both sides of the aisle to work toward positive solutions that uphold dignity and autonomy for all people in our communities.

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