ANCOR’s 2024 Policy Summit and Hill Day Marks Key Advocacy Efforts

This year’s ANCOR Policy Summit and Hill Day saw an enthusiastic turnout, with more than 250 attendees gathering to engage with policymakers on critical issues facing I/DD  providers. The event kicked off with a record-breaking Hill Day Breakfast, where Representatives Dingle (D-MI), Molinaro (R-NY), and Morelle (D-NY) energized attendees with their remarks—a first for the annual gathering.

More than 200 ANCOR members from 36 states participated in 224 meetings with congressional offices, with over 40 of the meetings taking place with the actual Senator or their Member of Congress, reflecting the event’s significant reach.

Participants focused their advocacy on three key bills:

1. The Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act (S. 1332/H.R. 2941): This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget to consider creating a federal Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). Establishing this classification is critical to collecting accurate workforce data and addressing the workforce crisis in disability services.
2. The HCBS Relief Act (S. 3118/H.R. 6296): ANCOR supports this legislation, which calls for a two-year, 10-point increase in the federal Medicaid match (FMAP). This increase would empower states to enhance their home and community-based services (HCBS) programs and address workforce shortages.
3. The Disability Community Act (H.R. 7267): This bill seeks additional funding to help Medicaid-funded providers manage unfunded regulatory compliance costs without limiting access to vital services for individuals with disabilities.