2026 Policy Summit & Hill Day

The 2026 Policy Summit & Hill Day takes place at a pivotal moment—following the passage of reconciliation legislation including cuts of nearly $1T to Medicaid funding.

As we remain anchored in our advocacy on behalf of community-based disability services, ANCOR’s commitment to bipartisanship remains a key ingredient to our success. Join us as we reflect on our collective advocacy over the past year and preview the key issues that still lie ahead.

We’re thrilled to be joined by David Wasserman, Senior Editor & Election Analyst for The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and a contributor to NBC News, as the Opening Keynote speaker for ANCOR’s 2026 Policy Summit & Hill Day.

Wasserman will break down what the midterms could mean for Congress, and how shifting power dynamics may shape the policy decisions that affect I/DD providers and the people we serve. He’s known as one of the top election forecasters and analysts and is widely respected on both sides of the aisle for his accurate and impartial political insights.

Speaker

• David Wasserman, Senior Editor & Election Analyst

Recent policy actions by Congress and the Administration, in the form of new laws and regulations, decreased federal funding and enhanced program integrity efforts, pose significant challenges for states in ensuring the continued viability of community-based disability supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

For this reason, we have assembled a panel of policy experts who can help us better understand the federally-driven pressures upon state disability programs and equip us with insight and strategies to effectively advocate for the preservation, protection, and strengthening of Medicaid-funded community-based services for the individuals we support.

This dynamic panel discussion will bring together Congressional staff and our lobbyist team to discuss disability policy in the 119th Congress. This conversation will focus on legislative challenges and opportunities and how ANCOR can effectively advocate for policies that will help support and strengthen disability services.

Past Summit participants tell us that among all the things they love about this event, two are among the fan favorites: networking and celebrating! To give the people what they want, we’ll spend some time honoring the inspiring recipients of ANCOR’s 2025 Excellence in Public Policy Awards. You’ll walk away having enjoyed some inspiring stories and made a few new contacts, too.

Alice Burns is an associate director of KFF’s Program on Medicaid and the Uninsured, where she focuses on overseeing the team’s quantitative research. Prior to joining KFF in 2022, Dr. Burns served as a principal analyst at the Congressional Budget Office.

She led the agency’s research using Medicaid claims data and worked on issues related to long-term services and supports, private health insurance, surprise medical bills, and single-payer health care. Before her time at the CBO, she was a consultant with the Lewin Group and a research scientist at the George Washington University Center for Health Policy Research.

Speaker

• Alice Burns, Associate Director of KFF’s Program on Medicaid

Our advocacy is stronger when our voices come together, which is why we are partnering with Soapbox Consulting to schedule our Hill meetings again this year. In this orientation session, you’ll meet with Soapbox staff to confirm your schedule and meet the other members of your Hill team.

You’ll also get a preview of the agenda for this year’s Hill Day and access to all the tools you need for successful advocacy visits on Capitol Hill, including an introduction to the materials we’ll be using, key talking points for engaging with legislators, and answers to any questions you may have as you get comfortable with communicating our message to lawmakers.

To receive information about this event, you must opt into communications from the ANCOR DC PAC. Opt in by completing this form or email Noah Block for more information.

Join us for breakfast on the Hill! We will be joined by Members of Congress to inspire your advocacy and we will also be covering logistics and answering questions. Buses will be available at 7:15am, 7:30am, and 8am to join us for the kickoff and our joint photo on the Capitol steps at 8:45am!

Please contact [email protected] to register at the discounted self-advocate rate.

Registrations canceled on or before August 25, 2026, will be fully refunded, less an administrative fee of $75. Cancellation requests must be made in writing via email to [email protected] no later than 11:59 PDT on August 25, 2029. No refunds will be issued on or after August 26, 2025.

Due to the complexity of scheduling congressional visits for Hill Day attendees, substitutions are discouraged and will not be permitted after July 31st.

It’s highly encouraged that people wait to register until they’re confident that their schedule permits and have booked accommodations near or at the Policy Summit venue. To request a substitution, email [email protected].

We’re here to help! Please email [email protected] with questions.