ANCOR Issues Statement on Exclusion of HCBS Investment from Senate Reconciliation Legislation

This afternoon, ANCOR issued the following statement on the exclusion of an investment in the Medicaid Home and Community Based Services program from the Senate’s reconciliation legislation:

As ANCOR has worked tirelessly for more than a year to advocate for what would have been a historic investment in the Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) program, we were extremely disappointed to hear that HCBS was not included in the reconciliation legislation unveiled late last week by the U.S. Senate.

Since last summer, ANCOR mobilized advocates to send more than 57,000 messages to all 535 members of Congress. Despite the ultimate outcome, our actions left no stone unturned and have proven that when we come together, we can build political will for solutions to a workforce crisis that demands meaningful investment now more than ever. Moreover, that we had the opportunity to advocate for such a transformational investment in our services because it was initially proposed by the President of the United States is itself a significant victory worth celebrating.

Among the many congressional leaders and coalition partners we have to thank, ANCOR owes a debt of gratitude to Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), who championed this effort from its outset. His Better Care Better Jobs legislation kept the issue front and center for his colleagues on Capitol Hill, and we walk away from this effort with a group of legislators more aware and more supportive of our services.

“I can proudly say that we left it all out there on the field, and I am so proud of what the ANCOR community has accomplished,” said Barbara Merrill, chief executive officer for ANCOR. “Nevertheless, the need remains for decisive action to stem the tides of a workforce in peril. Therefore, starting today, we’re calling on lawmakers from both parties and in both chambers of Congress to introduce legislation that addresses the most significant drivers and symptoms of the direct support workforce crisis.”

For as long as the direct support workforce crisis persists, ANCOR remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for public policy solutions that support community providers and the people who leverage their services. In the meantime, we’re immensely grateful for the thousands of advocates we count as part of our community and look forward to partnering together in coalition moving forward.

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