Dear Friend,

We’ve reached out before, but I wanted to update you on developments that affect our community and threaten the disability services many receive through Easterseals. Congress is rushing to pass a megabill by July 4 that will cut Medicaid. If you didn’t send a message before, can you send one right now? And can you forward this email to your friends and family so they can take action? We need to let members know how much these services mean to people. Thank you for all your support.

Our commitment to the disability community for over 100 years compels us to address concerns about proposed changes that could have a profound and lasting impact on the people we serve.

The proposed policy changes would cut Medicaid funding by over $900 billion. While people with disabilities and caregivers are not the intended targets, history shows that disability services are often the first to be reduced. Broad changes to Medicaid almost always sweep up our community in their wake, leaving people without the care and support they need.

The reality is simple: Medicaid helps 79 million Americans access healthcare—including children with disabilities who need ongoing therapies, people requiring in-home care, and older adults who rely on long-term support.

Congress is rushing to make these changes by the end of this week. Please act now:

1. Send a message to your legislators at EastersealsAction.com
2. Share your personal connection
3. Spread the word

If you feel this matters to you, know this: your voice matters, your story matters. When your legislators receive personal messages from people like you, it impacts their decisions.

Easterseals empowers people to thrive. When more than 1 in 4 Americans has a disability, nearly every family in America knows someone who depends on Medicaid. Medicaid provides occupational, physical, and speech therapy for children and adults; adult day services that provide care, enrichment, and social connection; respite care for family caregivers; mobility and transportation assistance to access work, healthcare, and the community.

This is about Erin and millions like her in our community who rely on Medicaid to live a more fulfilling life.

Erin, 41, from New Jersey, has Muscular Dystrophy and relies on Medicaid home-and-community-based services to pay for daily nursing care, allowing her to stay in the community rather than being forced to live in an institution. "Because of Medicaid, I can live a life of independence, safety, and comfort. I work full time. I have a romantic partner. I have an extensive personal library and a backyard garden that’s just starting to bloom. Without Medicaid, I would lose all of that. I would lose my freedom—the freedom we all deserve.”

This issue is about whether people who rely on Easterseals’ support can continue to access it. Your voice can help protect these essential services. Without immediate action from supporters like you, wait lists for essential services will likely grow longer and many can lose access to their community-based support systems.

Thank you for acting today to help ensure that people can continue to access the services they need.

– Ted Thompson
Senior Vice President of Government Relations
Easterseals

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