ANCOR Sends DOL and HHS Secretary Welcome Letters, Joins Coalition Letter

As part of its work amplifying the voices of disability supports providers, ANCOR sent the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra and Labor Secretary (DOL) Marty Walsh letters outlining key administrative actions we recommend they take to strengthen disability supports during and after the pandemic.

The HHS letter outlines the following recommendations:

• Encouraging of technology in the Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) program
• Codifying HCBS improvements
• Increasing access to HCBS
• Ensuring equitable access to HCBS
• Implementing HCBS quality measures

The DOL letter outlines the following recommendations:

• Creating a standard occupational code for direct support professionals (DSPs)
• Establishing a commission on DSP workforce development
• Issuing a joint training and employment guidance letter
• Incentivizing career ladders and lattices for DSPs
• Formalizing communications between DOL and HHS

We also partnered with seven other national provider organizations in a coalition letter outlining the following challenges that continue to face providers as the country seeks to overcome the pandemic:

• Retainer payments
• Technology supports
• Access to and billing for services
• Electronic visit verification
• Increased access to the Medicaid Home and Community Based Services program

Prior to his confirmation, ANCOR had previewed some of these concerns in a coalition meeting with then-nominee Becerra. This letter continues that conversation now that Becerra has been confirmed and is serving in a formal capacity. We will keep our members informed as these discussions evolve in the future, and will share opportunities for future advocacy as they emerge.