New Ways to Take Action on the ANCOR Amplifier

We’ve spotlighted three federal proposals you can support through ANCOR’s Amplifier through Congress’ August recess. Each, if enacted, would expand access to services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and help stabilize the workforce that makes community living possible. 

First, the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-In Programs Act (H.R. 1598) would remove the outdated age cap in state Medicaid Buy-In programs. For older adults with disabilities who want to keep working, this change would prevent the impossible choice between earning a paycheck and maintaining life-sustaining services. You can urge your U.S. Representative to back this update by emailing Congress through the ANCOR Amplifier. 

Second, the HCBS Relief Act of 2025 (S. 2076 / H.R. 4029) would provide a 10-percentage-point increase in the federal Medicaid match specifically for home and community-based services in FY 2026–2027. This targeted, time-limited funding would help states bolster direct support professional (DSP) wages, reduce waiting lists, and improve access to community-based care. Use our Amplifier to tell your lawmakers to strengthen HCBS. 

Finally, the HEADs UP Act (H.R. 3409) would designate people with I/DD as a Medically Underserved Population. That designation would open the door to increased federal resources—such as incentives for clinicians, expanded community health access, and targeted workforce programs—aimed at reducing longstanding health disparities. You can email your lawmakers now to support this designation.